With the vote on Bakersfield College’s smoking policy just ending, students weighed in on which option they wanted most.

Christopher Hopkins, undeclared major, doesn’t think anyone should be told whether they can or can’t smoke on campus so long as they are respectful of nonsmokers, but does feel that BC has the right to create designated smoking areas.

Ron Page, a business major who smokes when not on campus, likes the idea of designated smoking areas for the sake of convenience and courtesy. He believes that those who don’t smoke should know ahead of time to avoid that area.

While he admits these designated areas would be unfair to smokers busy between classes.

Page said, “If you’re willing to smoke, then you’re willing to find that designated area.”

Cheryl Mishoe, a child development major, thinks the designated area is better than the current California law.

Mishoe, who is trying to quit herself, hopes that this added difficulty might help smokers quit or make the switch to electronic cigarettes.

Thomas Espinoza, a computer science major, prefers designated areas and thinks it is better than both the current state law and a total ban, as it gives a measure of freedom to smokers while separating them from non-smokers.

“As long as it’s enforced properly, everyone wins,” he said.

Jeff Miller, a biology major, agrees that if properly enforced, the state law should be sufficient, especially if people smoke without bothering others.

Austin Sullivan, an architecture major and smoker, smokes in between classes. “I like to have a smoke between classes, to relax a bit,” he said.

Though he says he wouldn’t mind designated areas as he already tries to smoke away from busy or crowded places.

While he’d prefer the campus policy remain in-line with current state law he understands that smokers can bother people, especially when they do so in violation of current state law. “People wouldn’t have a problem with it . . . if the smoking laws were properly enforced,” he said.