[ISUKappa]

I think the biggest issue is society's current views on smoking. It is beat into peoples' head from the time they're wee children that smoking is a dirty, disgusting, unhealthy and evil habit. Peoples' gut reactions on smoking will usually stem from this view.

Even as recently as 20 years ago, society's views on smoking was very different -- it was cool, acceptable and somewhat encouraged (yes, even for women in genteel Southern families).

I smoked in college. I still smoke occasionally now (well, not currently, but before I got pregnant I did). It is my personal choice to smoke and I can do so pretty much when, where, how and why I want to. While in college, I did refrain from smoking on our property and usually in my letters (though not always) because I figured it was a small thing on which to comply. When I saw girls from other chapters smoking (with or without their letters) trashy was not my first thought; usually it was "man, I could go for a smoke about now". I know it's bad for me, I hate the way it smells and how I feel the morning after the better part of a pack, but I still choose to smoke. Just like I still choose to eat big fatty Big Macs even though I know they're loaded with saturated fats.

There are so many larger things to worry about than whether or not smoking/drinking in your letters is tacky/trashy/slutty/whatnot.