Columbia Bans Smoking In First-Year Residences

Regardless of the time, regardless of the weather, walk by any first-year residence hall and gathered outside will be Columbia's newest breed of outcasts: the first-year smoker.

Smokers have long gathered outside Carman and John Jay, but this year a new ban on all smoking in first-year residence halls has driven even more students outside for a cigarette.

The smoking ban was instituted for those living in the Barnard Quad last year, but this is the first time the policy will affect other University first-years.

While upperclass residence halls like Broadway, Furnald, McBain, Schapiro, and Wien allow for smoking in private rooms on some floors, this year University Residence Halls (URH) decided to turn Carman, John Jay, and Hartley-Wallach into fully non-smoking buildings.

Last year, reviewing the rooming applications for the incoming class of 2004, URH noticed an increase in requests by nonsmokers not to be placed with smokers, and a decrease in the number of self-identified smokers.

Fifty-five out of the 1,213 students of the class of 2002 were self-identified smokers. Of the class of 2004, however, only 42 out of 1,326 students were self-identified smokers, according to Rob Lutomski, assistant director of URH.

Because of the apparent decline in the number of smokers and the increase in class size, URH decided to implement a non-smoking policy.

Director of URH Ross Fraser commented that the number of self-identified smokers "was so small," whereas "the number of concerned nonsmokers was overwhelming."

The Guide to Living in University Residence Halls, 2000-2001 states that "in the event that roommates or suitemates cannot agree in areas where smoking is permitted, or in the case of any dispute about this policy, the presumption will be in favor of non-smoking."

"Smoking and non-smoking is always a debate that goes on," Director of Residence Life Brian Paquette said. "Room swaps are often motivated by smoking."

Paquette said the new policy attempts to avoid arguments between roommates as well as address non-smokers' concerns.

Carman resident Fernando Martinez, CC '04, said he hates the new policy.

"It's a big change of lifestyle," he said. "If your roommate can adapt, then it's OK. It's legal to smoke when you're 18. There is no reason you shouldn't be able to smoke in your room."

The upcoming winter concerns many smokers who will have no choice but to stand in the cold in order to smoke. They feel there should be a smoking lounge or a few smaller floors exclusively for smokers to prevent having to deal with the inclement weather conditions of New York City.

Among non-smokers, there are mixed feelings towards the new policy.

Carman resident Jessica Schenk, CC '04, said that the new policy "promotes healthy living for people. It doesn't expose people who don't want to ruin their lungs."

Kate Cortesi, CC '01, called the policy "puritanical" and its implementation an act of "micromanaging." She said that regardless of the policy, students will smoke.

When questioned about the repercussions of smoking in a non-smoking residence hall, Paquette explained that "the residential staff isn't sitting in the hallway looking for smokers." However, he hopes students will observe the rule and resolve the issues that arise without URH having to intervene.

Lutomski said he understands the concerns of non-smokers. "Second-hand smoke is becoming a more prevalent issue," Lutomski said.

A recent survey done by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) found that non-smokers in the United States suffered from 3,000 cases of lung cancer and 37,000 heart disease deaths. Second-hand smoke has been classified by the American Lung Association as a cause of cancer.

Paquette said he expects the new rule to be permanent. He explains that "while you can't say to college students 'No smoking allowed,' you can say 'No smoking allowed in residence halls."