Toward the Breathing Rights of Counselors and other Persons

Abstract

Non-smokers have breathing rights in a society of smokers is the theme of this drug education article. At least 8 million Americans suffer from the ill effects of tobacco smoke. This is a sizable minority of persons in this nation. The issue of minority rights to breathe non-polluted air in spite of smokers in close quarters is as important as any issue of prejudice to other minorities in this country. For the first time in counselor education literature, this article states the issue and in a non-judgemental manner suggests various solutions to the problem of counselors and others who smoke in inadequately ventilated rooms. In a clear and concise manner, the author presents ways to face up to drug education by every person who smokes and how to make the environment more livable for a significant number of non-smokers who get sick from tobacco smoke in their immediate atmosphere. Counselors who believe in being sensitivve to all persons and their physical as well as their psychological problems can be valuable change agents in a increasingly dangerously polluted air crisis. A recent survey of smoking and non-smoking counselors by Eddy indicates the extent to which: all counselors are against smoking as a healthy thing; smoking counselors are insensitive to their smoking in the presence of clients who prefer they do not smoke in counseling sessions; and smoking counselors ignore non-smoking signs to prove their insensitivity.