Stigmatization/ transition costs to smokers

The underlying message that this resolution sets out to deliver is that smoking is something abhorrent and if these smokers absolutely have to smoke, they should take their butts out, literally. However this will only serve to alienate and marginalize the people who smoke. Rejection of smokers on campus basically lands us in an “us vs them” mentality where these stigmatized individuals would feel that they are not part of the community. This might lead to deterioration of their academic performance, a huge negative impact on their social life, increased expenses and ultimately the negative effects on the psyche of the person.

For some, cigarettes are a means of relaxation which allows them to regain their thoughts and concentrate better while studying. This is why there are always some people smoking outside the library. For these individuals, cigarettes provide them with the necessary caffeine or nicotine kick which other individuals acquire through ingesting coffee or energy drinks. Taking away this “fix” will have a quantifiable harm for these individuals. Their ability to concentrate, which is directly related to academic performance is going to go down and therefore their academic performance is going to suffer as a result.

For Smokers, the time to smoke is a social event. They stand around with their friends, enjoying each other’s company and revel in the joy of smoking. It gives them time out of their busy lives to talk to each other for 5 minutes. To just be themselves and not feel rushed. These “chilling” sessions are an important daily ritual in a smokers life and without them they will definitely feel socially reprobated.

As already pointed out, smoking gives these individuals a caffeine kick which helps them stay alert and concentrate better. For non smokers, this caffeine kick can be acquired through energy drinks or coffee. However, it is much cheaper for smokers to consume a pack of cigarette than to buy coffee or energy drinks since a pack of cigarettes can last them for a much longer time and hence help them concentrate for even longer periods.

Smokers get irritated, anxious and depressed when they are not allowed to smoke. By enacting this law, we are simply ignoring the emotional stability of the smoker. We are essentially saying that if you have a problem, deal with it yourself because I am not considerate enough to help you out here. This will definitely result in these individuals feeling marginalized and have a very real negative effect on their behavior.