Smokers living in the University Plaza will have to curtail their habit next fall when the private residence hall bans smoking everywhere except two lounges.

The ban will start in the fall 1991 semester—the Plaza’s 25th birthday—mirroring residents’ growing health and environmental concerns, said Executive Director Stuart Stern.

Currently, 40 to 50 of the Plaza’s 1,000 residents smoke, Stern said, adding he doesn’t foresee residents’ complaints.

That number has dropped during the past four years from a high of 7 percent smokers, said Michael Borden, director of residential life at the Plaza, 900 Crane Drive.

Borden also said more residents are requesting non-smoking roommates.

“The handwriting is on the wall,” Stern said. “More and more places are going non-smoking.”

Smoking has been banned for the past year in the Plaza’s cafeteria and central building between the two eight-story towers, Borden said. Smoking will be allowed in the lower lounges of both north and south towers.

“I think it’s a bad idea,” said sophomore resident Steve Hawk, a non-smoker. “If your roommate smokes and you agree, it’s not a problem.”

The Plaza isn’t affiliated with the NIU residence halls, but has resident assistants and operates on a fine system, said Leah Stern, administrative assistant.

“Maybe a lot of people will follow in our footsteps,” Mrs. Stern said.

“We’re both reformed smokers,” said Mr. Stern. “And we’re to the point where the smoke really bothers us.”