It is always surprising to see how many students put themselves at a health risk right on our campus, especially outside of Lauinger Library. The cloud of cigarette smoke that waits for me outside of the library doors is what I wish I could avoid most. Nothing has ever been more appalling to me than cigarettes and their smell. If I’ve learned anything from my nursing classes here at Georgetown, especially from Dr. Allan Angerio, it’s that “smoking is a big no-no.”
Smoking harms every system of the body, and when people smoke around me, they put me at risk. Most Hoyas try to keep healthy, and I see this in the way a lot of people eat and the amount of exercise they do at Yates and in the Georgetown area. I always fail to understand how a population of students that’s very well aware of their health and how to maintain it, can harm themselves (and others) by smoking. Secondhand smoke can have the same affect on my lungs as it does to those of the person inhaling that cancer stick.

My frustration with cigarettes and their effects is not a concern about me and how much I dislike it, but rather, it’s a concern for everyone who’s smoking. Smoking will cut years off of people’s lives and can lead to cardiovascular diseases. According to the American Heart Association, more than 35,000 people die each year from heart disease caused by other people’s smoke. There is no amount of secondhand smoke that is “healthy.” If you inhale just a little as you pass those people on campus, you are breathing in a lot of cancer-causing substances. It’s unbelievable. I honestly hold my breath when I see a smoker passing me by, or I breathe through my sweater.
The amount of stress that we all go through is not an excuse for smoking. I have spoken to a lot of friends about their smoking habits, and most times they say the reason they smoke is because of stress. My little secret to all you stressed smokers is that smoking causes more stress. It would be great to not have to be dependent on cigarettes and find a healthy way to relieve stress.
Do you know how much money you would save if you quit smoking? — A lot! You would save the cigarette money and the doctor bills you would otherwise have to pay later on in life. It’s never too late to quit, and the benefits would be on your health and on your wallet. Your health improves even minutes after you quit smoking!

I was walking by the Medical School building this week, and there were at least two very big signs that said “No smoking in this area,” and, ironically, a large amount of cigarette butts on the ground. What’s sadest is that it was right outside the Lombardi Cancer Center. I would think people would be at least minimally considerate.

I care about all these smokers’ health just as I care about my family’s and mine, but I can’t just go up to someone and take their cigarettes to try to make people understand about the risks they’re bringing upon themselves. Instead, I would love to see these people look out for themselves and realize what it is that they are doing to their health. Quitting isn’t easy, but it is well worth it. It might not be possible on the first attempt, or on the second, maybe not even the third, but keep trying and the benefits will prove themselves worth it.

Let’s keep Georgetown healthy and our sidewalks and air clean. The health problems caused by smoke and secondhand smoke are preventable. Why not be one step ahead of disease and say, “Ha, you can’t catch me,” especially because you’ll be able to run better if you don’t smoke. It would be great to walk out of Lauinger and take a deep breath of air — just air.

Karina Ramirez is a sophomore in the School of Nursing and Health Studies.