Looking ‘Kool’ without the hard pack
It’s a cold night, the weekend just started, but you’ve never been more ready to party.
You feel like you’ve been driving for hours, but still can’t make out the addresses on the houses. Your friend on the phone screamed out the house and street numbers as best he could over the yelling and music in the background. The backseat of the car is packed with anxious friends sitting on laps and complaining that all the houses look the same.
Finally, you see it. Everyone piles out of the car and make their way toward the destination. As you get inside the house, your eyes scan the crowd for familiar faces and old friends. There must be 120 people on the main floor alone. You know it’s going to be a killer night. In the kitchen are two girls you’ve never seen before. But they look hot and don’t have any guys clinging on them, so you figure, “What the hey, I’ll break the ice.”
After talking to them for a few minutes, you figure out one of them has chemistry at the same time as you. She asks if it’s your party. You tell her no, but you know the guys who live there. She’s impressed, at least as impressed as a girl could be after five minutes of small talk. She asks if you want to go outside — away from the noise to talk some more. You nod your head “yes” in a split second.
There are a few other people outside on the back porch. She digs into her purse in a mad frenzy. You figure she’s going for her cell phone to take down your number.
As she pulls out a pack of menthols and asks for a light, your fears are confirmed: this girl is a smoker.
I’m not sure why men and women at college feel the need to smoke in social situations. Maybe to look cool, maybe to add to the buzz or maybe just because they need something to keep them busy.
Whatever the case, it’s gross.
Nathan Popiel, a senior agribusiness major, said smoking is a turnoff.
“ When I see a girl smoke, she definitely loses points,” Popiel said. “Besides, it’s cold enough outside without having to roll down the car window for her to light up.”
The same goes for guys who are fans of tobacco.
Ashley Kuntz, a non-smoking senior, said smoking is a waste of money.
“ It’s extremely disgusting,” Kuntz said. “The look, the smell, the taste … ick!”
Kuntz said that although many young men in college are smokers, many of them would be willing to quit.
“ A lot of the time, they just need a reason or incentive,” Kuntz said.
According to a 2001 report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, just under 26 percent of men are smokers. Women are a bit less at 21.5 percent.
Not only is smoking disgusting, but its effects on a person’s lung capacity are devastating. If you aren’t convinced, invite a smoker to go rock climbing, bike riding or to help you move. The huffing and puffing will lead to oxygen tank-assisted breathing before long.
For smokers, their killer night may only be a short time away.
Columnists' opinions do not necessarily reflect the views of The Spectrum