Smoking rules goes up in smoke

Melissa Arriola

The student handbook says, “smoking is strictly prohibited in any interior areas of the residence halls. Individuals smoking outside of the buildings are required to do so at a minimum distance of 30 feet from the doorway, and to properly extinguish and dispose of their smoking material in the receptacles provided.”

Since the smoking rule is found under the heading of “Residence Life Information and Policies,” it can be a little confusing where the rule applies.

George Stroud, director of residence life said, “the 30 feet rule definitely applies to the residence hall.”

In walking out of any Cabrini building, students can be seen puffing away on a cigarette no more than a couple of feet from the building. When asked would he like the rule to be enforced for all buildings, Chris Wagner, a senior said, “Definitely. You walk right past the smokers. It would be better to breathe in fresh air.”

Sitting outside Founder’s Hall on the first step coolly smoking a cigarette, Lauren Nicastro, a sophomore said, commenting on the 30 feet rule, “it’s pretty stupid, the receptacles are within five steps of the building.” Nicastro refers to the receptacles being close to the building, making the rule rather confusing.

This does not explain why cigarette butts are found on the ground.

The handbook continues with, “under no circumstances should cigarette butts be left on the grounds and walkways surrounding the halls and other campus buildings. Individuals found doing may be subject to fines and referred for disciplinary action.”

“Yes, since smokers have the privilege to smoke on campus, they should be considerate of the rules that others follow,” Ginger Daddona, a freshman said in regard to the rule being applied for all buildings,

“Yeah, I would try.” It seems as though that she recalls, “Last year in Xavier they enforced the 30 feet rule,” Nicastro said. This brings us back to the question of whether the rule applies to all buildings or just the residence halls.

The restrictions of smoking have become more intense elsewhere in the country. As reported on cnn.com, New York has followed California and Delaware in passing legislation banning smoking in bars, certain restaurants, betting parlors, bowling alleys, pool halls and company cars.

Posted to the web by: Cecelia Francisco