The expression goes, “sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll,” not “abstinence, granola and a jaunty tune.”

During my teenage days of sneaking out to see punk shows on school nights, I’d come home at 3 or 4 a.m. with blue hair, torn jeans, black t-shirt and Chuck Taylors reeking of cigarette smoke, cheep beer and sweat.

Even though I’m slightly older and an alleged responsible adult, I still really love that smell. 

It’s the smell of a good night.

It’s the smell of stickin’ it to the man.

The recently implemented 50-foot rule now means patrons of Legends can no longer step out for a cigarette on the patio.

Anyone leaving for a cigarette must repurchase a ticket for the show. 

Smoking is quite possibly the dumbest thing to voluntarily do to your health.

My grandfather died of lung cancer and I can tell you first hand that there is nothing glamorous or sexy about hacking up your lungs.

You don’t look like a rebel when you’re lying in a hospital bed.

But that’s what rock ‘n’ roll is.

It’s reckless.

It strikes fear into the hearts of every mother who doesn’t want her daughter riding away on the back of a motorcycle driven by a dark haired boy with tattoos.

It teaches us that a great guitar riff can destroy worlds.

Smoking is horrifically bad for you, but until I give up my addiction to fried stuff with cheese on top, I have no room to talk.

I fully support Legends being a smoke-free venue on the inside.

I’ve seen my share of shows in bars so smoky I can’t see the stage, and don’t think it makes your concert experience any more enjoyable.

Both Carborro’s Cat’s Cradle and Asheville’s The Orange Peel do not allow smoking in the venue itself.

Both provide outside areas and allow re-admittance.

Legends can do nothing about a state law mandating a smoking ban 50-feet from all buildings.

It’s a consequence of a move towards health consciousness that I fully support, even in all its inconvenience.

Still, Legends can allow re-admittance with a ticket.

Because Appalachian State University subsidizes the cost, students and community members can see some really amazing acts for way less than they’d pay anywhere else in the same tour. 

Smokers should be able to take full advantage of these lowered costs as well.

They should not have to pay twice because of a lifestyle choice.

Drinking is not exactly the healthiest lifestyle choice either, but most Legends events remain BYOB.

Only, drinkers don’t have pay twice for their choice.

Legends will lose business because of their choice to not allow re-admittance.

It is a terrible decision.

We, the students of Appalachian, do want to rock ‘n’ roll all night and party every day. But we don’t want to have to pay for it two times.

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