Stanford's Smoke-Free Initiative: An Ethical Debate

Abstract

This essay critically analyses the Smoke-Free Initiative, proposed by the student group Stanford's Colleges Against Cancer, which calls for, among other things, the creation of remotely located smoking areas on campus, outside of which tobacco smoke is prohibited. The analysis addresses both sides of the argument, applying rigorous ethical frameworks to each. Liberty Limiting Principles are the main focus of the analysis, essentially weighing the right to smoke in public against the right to a clean and safe environment. I conclude that the stipulations of the Smoke-Free Initiative are too harsh, impinging too greatly, and therefore unethically, on the rights of the smoking community.