A main argument used by Matt Phelan, an advocacy specialist for American Cancer Society and East Lansing resident, who spoke during the vote in December, was that smokers were being discourteous in public parks and especially around children. He asked the city council to "stop them." 

Once again, smokers, which as of 2014 constitute only 3 percent of MSU students who smoke daily, according to the 2014 National Collegiate Health Assessment and only 15 percent of adults according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, have been made out to be a special kind of second-class citizen that only the courageous acts of local city council members can save us from. 

Although councilmember Susan Woods did vote for the ordinance, she originally argued at the meeting it was over-regulation and described the move as being like a "nanny city." Mayor Pro Tem Ruth Beier also suggested the ban would target international students, who smoke at higher rates than domestic ones. 

Though we recognize smoking is unhealthy and causes long-term health effects for both smokers and those who inhale secondhand smoke, there is no reason for more local regulation to control a problem that has been blown entirely out of proportion. 

The State News Editorial Board is made up of the Editor-in-chief Jake Allen, Managing Editor Cameron Macko, Campus Editor Rachel Fradette, City Editor Stephen Olschanski, Sports Editor Souichi Terada, Features Editor McKenna Ross, Copy Chief Casey Holland, Staff Representative Marie Weidmayer and Diversity Representative Madison O'Connor.