Gaston College bans smoking

When Gaston College students returned to classes after Christmas break, they found a slightly altered environment.

As of Jan. 1, the college became tobacco-free. The new rule applies to all three campuses - Dallas, Belmont and Lincolnton.

About six months ago, the N.C. Community College system had 30 tobacco-free campuses, but Gaston wasn't on the list.

But the campus is now smoke-free through the efforts of the Gaston Student Government Association. In 2010, the group formed a campuswide committee to survey students about the possibility of banning tobacco.

The majority favored the idea, and the Board of Trustees approved it last May.

That's good news - for smokers and nonsmokers. Students who don't use tobacco will no longer have to dodge second-hand smoke; and smokers may be inspired to give up the habit.

As a former smoker, I know quitting isn't easy. I loved every one of the million or so cigarettes I puffed: filtered, nonfiltered, menthol, regular, foreign, domestic, lights, full-strength, name brands, off brands. Cigars. Pipes. Even chewing tobacco. I tried them all.

But with the support of my wife, I walked away from tobacco. It was like stepping into a new world. I no longer smelled like an ashtray. I felt clean. And in the clarity that came my way, smokers suddenly stood out. When I saw somebody dangling a cigarette out of a car window at a traffic light, I wanted to yell: "Coffin nails will kill you."

I'm offended when I pass somebody smoking on the Gastonia greenway or a school walking track. That happened twice last weekend. The guy getting his exercise while puffing on a cigar took the cake. I wanted to warn him about the dangers of smoking but kept quiet; it was none of my business.