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Smoking ban; voice of majority
University Chronicle
EDITORIAL BOARD
The issue: SCSU bans smoking in residence halls effective fall 2002.
What we think: The new policy speaks for the majority of people at SCSU who choose not to smoke.
SCSU recently passed a policy that bans smoking in residence halls starting fall semester 2002.
For many smokers this means finding alternative spots to smoke outside. However, some places outside campus buildings will also be off limits. Many smokers will have to walk away from the buildings in order to smoke. This can be quite an inconvenience, especially during the winter.
On the other hand, when people smoke just outside doors and near intake grills, the smoke, more often than not, sweeps into the buildings, affecting others who aren't smoking.
Although the policy may seem cruel to smokers, too many non-smokers are affected by the smoke, especially in the residence halls, many of which have poor ventilation and air circulation systems.
For many non-smokers, the wafting smoke causes health problems, especially in the winter when the residence hall doors and windows are kept closed. The second-hand smoke can cause irritation, allergic reactions and respiratory problems including, in extreme cases, lung cancer.
Overall, the new policy was a wise decision on the part of administration members, students and residence hall workers.
With cigarette smoking comes the obvious � smoke. Unfortunately, smoke knows no boundaries and spreads from room to room, person to person. It clings to skin, lungs, walls, fabric, windows and everything else it comes in contact with.
The new policy will improve the condition of air in the halls as well as save money spent on cleaning and resident hall upkeep.
While many smokers may feel slighted, the issue is not necessarily about smoker's rights but about the right of the majority to choose what type of air to breathe. The majority of people on campus are not smokers and choose not to inhale smoke. Hence the new smoking ban.
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