Dorms to become smoke-free
by fall
By Kurt Esposito
Assistant
Campus Editor
Purdue University announced Tuesday that all University
residence halls and graduate houses will become smoke free at the start
of the 2001 fall semester.
Lanny Wilson, director of administration for University
Residences, said there were three main issues that led to Purdue making
this decision: problems from roommate conflict over smoking, problems
from students with medical conditions that makes them sensitive to smoke,
and students and staff who are forced to be in areas where others smoke
even though they would rather not.
"In the interests of the students and staff we
chose to go in this direction," said Wilson.
Jean Luc Howell, a freshman in the School of Science
and a smoker, said the new policy will not affect him.
"I guess it's all right. I usually go outside and
smoke anyway. Other people don’t smoke; it's just rude to smoke
around them," said Howell.
The plan also includes the establishment of smoke-free
zones outside of buildings, the designation of outdoor smoking areas
and the development of smoking cessation program.
The smoke-free zones and outdoor smoking areas
will be established by the individual residence halls toward the end
of this semester.
The smoke cessation programs will work in conjunction
with the Student Wellness Office to offer students tips to quit smoking.
Currently Earhart Hall, Hillenbrand Hall, Shreve
Hall, Wiley Hall and the Windsor Halls are smoke-free and do not allow
smoking within 50 feet of the building.
Cary Quadrangle, Harrison Hall, Owen Hall and McCutcheon
Hall allow smoking but have smoke free floors. On other floors, smoking
is limited to individual's room and prohibited in the bathrooms, hallways
and lounges.
Meredith Hall and Tarkington Hall both allow smoking
in specific areas like individual's rooms, but they also prohibit it
in bathrooms, hallways and lounges.
Hawkins Graduate House, Young Graduate House and
Hilltop Apartments all allow smoking.
After the new policy takes effect all of these
residence halls will be smoke free.
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