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Smoking in the Residences / From John
M. Connolly, Acting President
Last spring, the College Council on Community
Policy (CCCP) forwarded to President Simmons its recommendation to prohibit
smoking in student residences. President Simmons circulated the report of the
committee to all members of the Smith community in May 2001 and called for
responses.
I have now reviewed the report and the responses,
and I have consulted with senior staff about changing college policy with regard
to smoking in the residences. Taking this advice into consideration, I have
decided to support the recommendations of the CCCP ad hoc Committee on Smoking
in the Residences and call for an end to smoking in the houses, effective August
19, 2002. The report makes a compelling case for the dangers of secondary smoke
for nonsmoking students, the risk of fire in our residences, and the difficulty
in ensuring the health and safety of college workers due to exposure to smoke.
Although the individual's right to smoke in her private accommodation is important,
it is outweighed by the need to assure all students of a healthy and safe living
situation. Our houses are not constructed to ensure that secondhand smoke does
not permeate the living space of those who do not wish to be exposed to it
or whose health is compromised by it. In taking this step, Smith will join
a growing number of similar colleges and universities.
I understand that this
decision will present a hardship for some students. Health Services has agreed
to expand educational programming about smoking
and will continue to offer programs for those trying to quit smoking.
I would
like to thank the College Council on Community Policy, and particularly its
ad hoc Committee on Smoking in the Residences, for the thoughtful work
and the highly consultative process that brought them to their recommendation.
October
4, 2001 |
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