In the case of Thursday’s article connecting the University of Oregon becoming a tobacco-free campus and “social justice” — just because it is written, doesn’t make it so.
While a strong proponent of a tobacco-free campus, I must disagree with ASUO President Rousseau’s characterization of the decision as “students taking a stand against big tobacco companies.” This student, for one, while caring deeply about his lungs, could not care less about tobacco companies, large or small. But maybe my re-education has only just begun. Banning smoking on campus is clearly a health issue and should be framed as such. It should not be used as an opportunity to trot out tangentially related eco-Marxist dogma. By doing so, Rousseau risks alienating those who would support a tobacco-free campus on the pretty obvious grounds that first- and second-hand smoke ruins your lungs.
Especially ironic is Rousseau’s claim that “our students are taking a stand against corrupt corporations” while, in (essentially) the same breath, announcing these very students would be receiving $1 million from an insurance company.
Your revolution never happened Rousseau. Condolences.
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Letter: Are we improving health or fighting tobacco corporations?
Daily Emerald
November 18, 2010
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