Dear editor,
I’d like to make a few comments regarding Salim Ahmad’s views on smoking, posted two weeks ago. Sorry to bring up this issue again, but unfortunately I was not in town to reply on time. I would like to begin by saying that I am not a smoker, but advocate the right of smokers to choose. However, I feel deeply concerned about the health of us, the non-smokers, when my dear friend Salim implies that the rights of smokers supersede those of the non-smokers.
I strongly think that the Bilkent University administration is not taking effective measures against Bilkenters who continue to smoke in areas where the practice is not allowed, such as the entrance to the C Block and Cafe Alis. Moreover, Salim argues that the school makes a fool out of itself by encouraging smokers to quit hence suggesting that the "No Smoking Bilkent University" campaign and cartoons posted in Bilkent News are a waste of time. It is worth noting that this campaign is much to the point as it peacefully encourages Bilkenters to quit smoking. The idea is inherent: To make people feel guilty about an action which not only harms themselves, but also those who do not wish to be burdened, that is, the non-smokers.
To conclude, as much as Salim holds on to his liberty to smoke (which is his natural right), I, as a non-smoker, hold my right to have healthy lungs, and my right not to stink, very dear!
Barın Kayaoğlu (POLS-4)
Dear Editor,
I was planning to write my protest about the "No Smoking Bilkent University" campaign long before, but I postponed it. Then Salim Ahmed’s letter was published and encouraged me to support his views in which he perfectly points out how unnecessary the campaign is.
I am not going to criticize the cartoons that are the perfections of a sense of humour(!), but I just want to remind the authorithies that Turkish Law #4207 prohibits smoking in closed spaces with the condition that some space in the buildings should be provided for the smokers. The authorities ignored this part of the law for almost every building on campus. While we smokers did not complain about it previously, this campaign really provokes other smokers and me to protest.
Another point is that Bilkent News should reflect the common sense of the Bilkent society. Nevertheless, the editorial board of the paper follows a policy of discrimination against the vast majority of the Bilkent society. I hope this disrespectful campaign will be ended soon, and we shall see the best examples of humor on
www.quitsmoking.com ONLY!
Yours Sincerely,
Murat Kınacı (ESBE/ History-MA)
