How will you spend your Thanksgiving break?
Students in search of a nicotine fix must now hit the street following a new ban on smoking in the courtyards of residence halls, enacted this year.
Smoking is now prohibited in the courtyards of three residence halls: Carlyle Court, Third Avenue North and University Court.
NYU spokesman John Beckman said the ban follows complaints from residents whose windows faced the courtyards.
Signs have been posted around the dorms informing residents that smoking in the courtyards, as well as inside the buildings, is restricted.
"It may be the case that the courtyards do not get the same kind of air circulation that one finds on a sidewalk in front of a building," Beckman said, "and so the odors are more intense."
Students are divided on the issue. Steinhardt sophomore and Carlyle resident Eunji Seong has noticed some resistance to these signs. Seong said she has noticed some people crossing off "courtyard" on the smoking ban signs.
LSP sophomore Mark Faber, treasurer of Carlyle Hall Council, supports the smoking ban.
"There would probably be a ton of cigarette butts on the ground, and we're trying to make the area cleaner," Faber said.
Although not a habitual smoker herself, Tisch sophomore Stephanie Myers believes smoking should be permitted in the courtyards.
"I realize and agree that excessive smoke in the courtyard can be kind of annoying," said Myers, who lives in Carlyle. "But I think it's fair that if people pay good money for the privilege to live here, and can't smoke in their rooms, that they should be able to smoke in the courtyard."
In recent years, New York has seen a strong anti-smoking campaign.
The campaign was kick-started in 2002 when Mayor Michael Bloomberg banned smoking in indoor public areas and continued last year, when New York became the state with the highest cigarette tax in the nation.
The city is now considering further regulations against smoking in public. New York City's health commissioner, Dr. Thomas Farley, hopes to outlaw smoking in the city's parks and beaches.
Regarding increased smoking regulations in public areas, Faber said, "I think it should stay as is, but they should [also] put up signs or something asking smokers to respect those around them."
