Take it outside! Hurlburt Field dorms adopt no-smoking rule Published Feb. 23, 2007 By 1st Lt. Amy Cooper 1st SOW Public Affairs HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- Hurlburt Field dorm residents now have to take their smoke breaks outside. The new rule, which went into effect Feb. 1, was the result of a decision made at the base Quarters Improvement Council meeting in December, said Dave Elrod, 1st Special Operations Civil Engineer Squadron dorm manager. One of the main reasons for the change is the small size of the rooms. "The rooms are so small in some of the dorms that sometimes the (cigarette) smoke would set off the smoke detectors," Mr. Elrod said. Other bases across the Air Force have already adopted the smoke-free dorms policy, and some Hurlburt Field dorm buildings and wings were already designated as smoke free. Residents are now required to smoke outside their rooms or in the pavilion areas near the dorms. Butt cans have been placed around the areas so smokers can dispose of cigarette butts appropriately, Mr. Elrod said. So far, the policy change has generated a few questions from residents, but not any complaints, Mr. Elrod said. "It's not a big deal," said Airman Sean Jeppsen, 1st Special Operations Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, a smoking dorm resident. "Even if I could smoke in my room, I wouldn't anyway. Most other people feel the same way." Airmen moving into the dorms will be informed of the new policy during inprocessing, Mr. Elrod said.