On Wednesday night the Vanderbilt Student Government House passed a resolution regarding smoking regulations on campus.

The resolution, which passed in the House with one dissenting vote, states that “a smoking ban with designated smoking areas on campus is not in the interest of the student body,” and is a response to a proposal by the Faculty Senate to make Vanderbilt smoke-free.

"This opens up the conversation again,” said Theo Samets, the executive adviser who originally proposed the resolution. “Hopefully the Faculty Senate will reopen debate on this issue in the very near future. We're going to do everything we can to stop this before it's too late."

Speaker of the House Josh Levine was impressed with the depth of discussion the resolution received.  

“I think the house members' strong showing of thorough debate and discussion this past Wednesday demonstrates a level of responsibility toward student issues that is in the best interest of VSG and the student body.

“I am proud of the thought and effort put in by members of the House and Senate in considering this resolution carefully. When both houses work this hard on an issue, it is a great affirmation of the positive aspects of VSG’s legislative process,” Levine said.

Samets is pleased that it has passed.

“It's about time that student government served as a voice for those students who need it most. I look forward to working with the provost and the dean of students to find a new solution that reduces secondhand smoke on campus without banning smoking. I am confident that this can and will be done,” Samets said.