College is usually a time for experimentation when students are away from their parents for the first time.

But now more and more universities are stepping in and telling students they can't do something that's perfectly legal.

Research shows about one in five U.S. college students smokes cigarettes. The American Lung Association believes colleges and universities need to do more to combat the habit.

The student smoker is easy to spot on just about any college campus. Even at American University where smoking is banned in dorms and all other buildings Christine Szabo frequently has a cigarette in her hand.

"Obviously out here on the quad and with my friends like when we are going to and from classes," she said.

The American Lung Association believes to prevent teenagers from picking up the habit, universities should ban smoking completely on campuses.

"Younger people are those adults that are most likely to start smoking and that is why we really need to encourage all campuses to go tobacco free," said Erika Sward of the American Lung Association.

Tim McClure started smoking before college. He says banning cigarettes on campus won't make him quit but it could get him to cut down on his tobacco use.

"I'm not going to want to walk off campus every time I want to smoke cause that's just like a big burden," he said.

While all area colleges and universities restrict smoking, the American Lung Association says none has agreed so far to ban cigarettes completely from campus.

"I think that would be an infringement on our personal rights. I mean I obviously know that what I am doing is bad for me it's just I know it and I'm making the personal decision to do it." said Szabo.

The American Lung Association is concentrating its efforts on universities with medical schools.