Dorms must go smoke-free

Residential Programs and Services is considering a proposal to declare all dorms smoke-free by 2003. Seven other Big Ten schools, most recently Purdue, have instated smoke-free dorms with little resistance from students. This proposal should be supported by students -- smokers and nonsmokers -- because it will provide long-term benefits to the student body. \nUnder the current housing system, students can list a smoking or nonsmoking preference when they sign up for housing. But not all students who request nonsmoking floors are actually placed in them. On a smoking floor, students are only allowed to smoke in their rooms with their doors closed. Although this helps keep the smoke from billowing into hallways and common areas, the smoke can seep under walls and irritate nonsmokers on the floor.\nEven with restrictions in place on smokers living in the dorms, the fact remains that nonsmokers are exposed to smoke.\nIn addition to keeping the dorms healthy for student residents, the health interests of dorm employees are important. Housekeeping staff are exposed each day to secondhand smoke on these floors. Resident assistants might be placed on a smoking floor even if they don't smoke and must tolerate the smoke in their hallways. \nSmokers also make expensive tenants because of the damages some cause. Flicking ashes around the room, accidentally leaving marks on furniture or even stomping out cigarettes in the carpet necessitate costly repairs.\nSome opponents of smoke-free dorms say smokers should not be penalized for their habit by being forced outside of their rooms to enjoy a cigarette. However, smoking is a choice; being forced to deal with inhaling secondhand smoke is not. \nOne problem with moving smoking outside the dorms is that smokers often stand by doorways and their smoke can drift up to rooms with open windows. The committee looking into smoke-free dorms needs to consider this problem and think of realistic solutions that will provide a place for smokers to smoke and nonsmokers to live free from smoke.\nForest Quad is already smoke-free. McNutt Quad will become smoke free next fall because of an initiative started by the community council, made up of students who wanted the dorm to go smoke-free. It is time for the rest of the on-campus housing to become smoke-free as well. \nStaff vote: 9-5