Tobacco was very important to the South ever since John Rolfe discovered he could grow this crop and become a very rich man.

Many others have followed in his footsteps since then. Tobacco is the main ingredient in cigarettes and chewing tobacco or dip. It is a highly addictive substance that is enjoyed by many Americans today, despite information showing that it can lead to many health problems and eventually death.

According to research reported in the Freevibe anti-smoking campaign, chewing tobacco can cause oral cancer, tooth loss and other health problems. Yet many Americans still choose to chew tobacco.

Chewing tobacco is prevalent on campus universities all across the country. According to the College Alcohol Survey administered in 1999, almost half of all respondents had used a tobacco product in the past year and smokeless tobacco usage was significantly higher among white male students.

This is incredibly dangerous considering tobacco products are especially harmful for teens because the body is still growing and changing, according to the Freevibe campaign.

Elon is a tobacco-free campus, which includes all indoor facilities and within 30 feet from entrances.

Howeve; this rule is often ignored. It has become increasingly popular for students to chew tobacco in class. It is now commonplace for one to sit in class, look over the student next to him or her and see them spitting their tobacco into an empty water bottle.

This is a disgusting act that greatly detracts from the learning process. When tobacco is chewed in class, students who do not wish to partake in this experience are being forced to.

It is the responsibility of the school to enforce the so-called tobacco-free rules. If tobacco is not allowed within any campus facilities it certainly has no place within the classroom.

Professors and other administrators need to re-gain control of their classrooms and punish the students who disregard the rules, choosing to dip during class.

The learning process is negatively affected by these actions and they need to stop so that the learning process can continue.

Since we are in the state of North Carolina, it is not surprising that chewing tobacco has become a common pastime for many students here.

It is a personal choice and despite strong recommendations against it, one may still choose to partake in such activities. However, if one does choose to dip, he or she needs to respect the rights of others.

Chewing tobacco has no place in the classroom, it shows a general lack of respect for fellow students and administration and it should not be tolerated. It is time for Elons campus to become truly tobacco-free.

Columnist: Angela Sparrow - 02/22/07