The recent proposal, then retraction and re-wording of the proposal, to limit outdoor smoking on campus has sparked a fire in me. It has made me aware of the fact that we smokers need to do something to keep our rights as a smoking public intact. We need to reinforce our numbers and make our presence known. Something needs to be done. Action needs to be taken. It?s time to call in the big boys: Philip Morris.

The following is an open letter to the Philip Morris company explaining the state of affairs on our campus and my attempt to do something about the situation.

Dear Philip Morris,

I am writing to you in an effort to gain your support in the Sacramento State smoking debate. Associated Students, Inc. board members Luke Wood and J.J. Hurley have brought an anti-smoking resolution to the table. The issue is complex. At first, the resolution asked that “the sale of smoking tobacco products at Sac State be indefinitely ended, that all ashtray bins be moved off the campus premises, and that the use of smoking products be terminated on Sac State grounds.” A very watered down version of the bill, calling for extended research of smoking on campus, actually passed by a 7-2 vote in the ASI board. Hurley and Wood are still pushing to eliminate smoking on campus.

I smoke your product, and fear the worst. If Wood and Hurley are serious about their goals, my basic right to smoke on campus may be revoked, or at least limited.

Living in California, I have already been subject to strict indoor smoking laws. I do not have a problem with this. I am a courteous smoker and understand other people?s rights. The problem is the possibility of not being able to purchase and smoke your fine product on campus. Will your company help me battle the complete absurdity of this resolution?

I will need a couple of weapons to accomplish my goal. Due to the 87 cents per pack cigarette tax in California, the price of your product is astronomical, and hard for college students to continue to pay. Therefore, I would like your company to donate a carton of cigarettes a month to the smoking cause. I will distribute these cartons to my smoking counterparts so we can continue to exercise our right to smoke without the burden of taxation.

The second weapon that I need would be beneficial to your company. I would like for you to provide marketing material that promotes your product. The mental giants in ASI that wish to limit smoking at Sac State seemingly want to ban the sight of smoking and smokers on campus as well. The best way to combat this nonsense is to make your product as visible as possible. This can be achieved in a number of ways, but the best would be clothing. I am willing to wear items of clothing containing your slogans and other marketing strategies your company finds appropriate.

I cannot stress enough the urgency of this matter. Your prompt reply and supply of the aforementioned items will be greatly appreciated.

The smoking initiative on campus must be stopped.

A.F. Fegley is an English major. He can be reached at [email protected].