University committee decides to ban smoking in dorm rooms

Students are not happy about having to stand in the cold to smoke.
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
NEW YORK -- What's college life without cigarettes?
New York University students will find out this fall when a ban on smoking in dorms goes into effect.
"My body is used to the nicotine," said Kira Portnaya, 19, a freshman communications major. "When they take that away, it's definitely going to have negative effects on my school performance."
The policy change -- decided by a committee of students, faculty and staff after 18 months of discussion -- will apply to all 24 of NYU's residence halls.
The liberal arts university in New York's Greenwich Village joins Barnard and Fordham as New York City schools that don't permit lighting up in dorms.
Standing outside
Though the policy is aimed at minimizing fire hazards and protecting the health of students, many didn't welcome the prospect of having to stand outside to get their nicotine fix.
"I'm very distressed by it," said Tania Hansraj, 18, a freshman marketing major. "When I first found out about the ban, I thought, 'Oh my God, I'm going to freeze my butt off.'"
Tony Guo, 18, a freshman who lives in a dorm on Union Square, said about 12 people on his floor smoke regularly.
"I feel like we should have one common room per dorm where everyone can come in and smoke," Guo said.
But not all of the students felt the ban was a bad thing.
"Secondhand smoke has been proven to cause cancer," said Jordan Person, 18, a freshman majoring in vocal performance. "I don't want to be exposed to that."