In the next two years, the city of Dublin plans to enact a law that forces owners of apartment complexes with sixteen or more units to designate at least half of its units as "non-smoking." Similar to ordinances put in place in Emeryville and Oakland, people are no longer allowed to smoke in parking areas, outdoor basketball and tennis courts and courtyards. If these rules are not obeyed, smokers will receive a hefty fine in the amount of up to $100 for the first violation in a year, $200 for the second and $500 for each offense after that.

I applaud Dublin for making the extra effort to eliminate smoking in public places as much as possible. I suffer from asthma and know first hand about the side effects of inhaling second hand smoke. Children and the elderly who live in apartment complexes where smoking is allowed should not have to be exposed to the fumes which could seep into the furniture, walls and ventilation systems.

Now, if only similar laws were enacted on college campuses across America. The only ordinance I know of that is put in place by the Residence Life departments at my university are to stay at least 25 feet away from the dorms and apartment buildings. Living at an apartment complex with international students, I've noticed that the majority of the residents who do roam around at night with a cigarette in hand tend to be European. Could this be the result of upbringing of today's American youth that has convinced us of the negatives that comes with smoking cigarettes? Going to a school known more for its nerds than its hipsters might probably contribute to this.  Hookah has turned out to be a more popular recreational activity over cigarettes because it is legal to those 18 and over as opposed to alcohol.

 - Joseph Natividad