In life there are those who smoke and those who don’t. Members of each group should feel comfortable residing in their designated areas.

The Housing Options Committee approved measures last semester to give students living on campus the choice to live in smoke-free environments.

Next fall, all rooms in South Hubbard and East Shaw halls with be designated smoke-free environments.

In addition, the second floor of East McDonel Hall and two floors in Holden Hall will be given smoke-free status.

The options committee handles annual requests for noise, alcohol and smoke-free floors and rooms from students who plan to live on campus.

Since it inception in 1993, MSU’s Smoke-Free Policy does not permit smoking in any enclosed space, “regardless of location, except specifically designated private residential space and hotel rooms.”

It also prohibits smoking “near exits and entrances of buildings, except at a reasonable distance.”

The MSU policy bans the sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products on university grounds, as well.

Some RHA members are not against limiting smoking inside every residence hall. But students living in residence halls lease their rooms from the university for private use, and they have every right to partake in any legal activity they so choose within their rooms - no matter how bad for their health that activity may be.

But not all students wish to live in smoke-filled environments and should have the option not to do so.

Likewise, students who wish to smoke should have the option to do so in the privacy of their own rented rooms.

We commend University Housing for extending living options to meet students’ wishes. We should all have the option to live comfortably.

Sign up for on-campus housing for next fall began Jan. 15 and continues through May 3. Visit the University Housing Web site at www.hfs.msu.edu to learn more.