Dear Editor,

I came across an ad in your recent issue for a tobacconist with a store on the Loop. It made me think, why would Student Life accept such an ad? I continued my query by searching smoking in your online edition and was surprised to see no recent articles or editorials concerned with the large amount of cigarette smoking that occurs on your campus. Your campus bookstore even sells cigarettes. I doubt you are unaware of the health effects of smoking and secondhand smoke.

I would strongly encourage you to put an end to accepting ads from tobacconists. Furthermore, why don’t you do an article on why your university’s administration allows the sale of cigarettes on campus and has such a lax policy toward smoking on campus? Washington University needs to join the rapidly growing number of other universities and colleges that have smoking bans on campus. Student Life needs to lead the way. It is the right thing to do.

Michael Seigle, M.D.
Class of 1980