BRANDY JONES Smoking ban in the mall - is a good start Smoking in the local malls has recently been banned by the state. It was established that it was hazardous to the health of the customers who shopped there. Although the ban on smoking in public facilities is a good start, it should be banned and considered an illegal drug that is not accessible to anyone. Smoking has been known to be a direct cause of lung cancer and other problems with the liver. Despite the well known risks, the American government continues to condone the smoking of cigarettes. The govern ment has prohibited many other drugs such as marijuana due to health hazards. 1 can't fathom prohibiting a drug that does not result in serious health defects and allowing a drug that is known for causing a serious disease to remain legal. This decision to do so just verifies that America is still very much a capitalistic society. We are more concerned with the revenue cigarettes produce than the fatalistic health effects. The smoking ban in places such as the mall wiU begin to prove to America that smoking is more detrimental than beneficial. The statistics of dise^es caused by smoking will start to diminish. It 'may make smokers more susceptible to kicking their habit. It may also increase the revenue in' othei: areas such as retail. Customers will be more apt to coining to the maU because the air will be cleaner. The customers will be able to walk around and not have to fret over whether they or their children may be developing some disease as a result of someone else's decision to smoke. Society may not be aware of the advantages of this ban immediately, but the futuristic results will prove that this is one of best choices they ould have possibly made. The opinion expressed in this column is that of the ajithor Qnd does^_ not necessarily reflect the opinion of the entire Bennett Banner staff. STUDENT OPINION POLL: The Bennett Banner The newspaper produced by and for the Phenomenal Women of Bennett College EDtTORS BRANDY JONES Editor KENYA A. SAMUELS Features Editor NAIMA Q. BARBOUR Features Editor EDITORIAL STAFF ERISHA UPFORD Briefings, KUDOS & Herstory SAMANTHA MOREY ResidenceHall RUNGANO NYAJEKA Natural, Behavorial & Social Sciences STACIE MURRILL ACES AISHAHART Security KRIISHEL A. PANTON Graphics MONYA TOMLINSON Hunnanities LA'SHAINNA CAMPBELL Editorial Assistant SHANTILEE OTEY Graphic Artist DARNITA HOWARD Circulation LEAH WHALEY HOLMB Chief Photographer PRODUCTION LISA POPE Production ADVISER DR.LONAD.COBB The Bennett Banner is a laboratory newspaper published twice a month during the academic year, except during months with College recognized holidays or College vacations. The newspaper is pro duced by and for students at Bennett College. The newspaper office is located in Shell Hall C-2. Do you agree with the new law banning smoking in the mall? Photos by Leah Whaley-Holmes, Banner Photographer W' OBIAMAKA MELIFONWU CLASS: SOPHOMORE MAJOR: BUS. ADMIN HOME STATE: WASHINGTON, D.C. I smoke cigarettes but I think the ban ofjpipkinjg in-.themail is good tdea^-Chiidren-and aduUs — with respiratory problems and those who don't like smoke period should not be exposed. MAY AH BANKS CLASS: SOPHOMORE MAJOR; PSYCHOLOGY HOME STATE; CALIFGRNIA It is a great idea to ban smoking in local malls. If you are a smoker a^ rieedio ll§hl up' that bad go outside and do so. It is not fair to make people suffer who do not smoke. TRINA HARE-HAYES CLASS; SOPHOMORE MAJOR: BIOLOGY HOME STATE; CONNECTICUT I think this [smoking ban] is good. I have allergies and the smdkngban is good for the environment and people’s health especially children's. DAYDRA WILKES CLASS: SENIOR MAJOR; ELEM. ED. HOME STATE; MISSOURI I am a smoker, but I don’t think that the general public should have to suffer because of my habit. It is common courtesy for any smoker to think of the people around them and their health before lighting up. CYNTHIA EDGE CLASS: SOPHOMORE MAJOR: SPECIAL ED. HOME STATE; SOUTH CAROLINA I am glad to finally see that change in the mall. Back home there is no smoking in the mall and I love it. MELODY CALDWELL CLASS: FRESHWOMAN MAJOR: BIOLOGY HOME STATE: NEW JERSEY The ban on smoking in the malls is good because it is a public facility. Many people that are in the mall have health conditions. Second hand smoking is worse than the actual smoking so the people around the smoke suffer more.