University of Oklahoma Restricted Smoking

The University of Oklahoma Board of Regents has voted to restrict smoking to two designated areas on the Norman campus. The board on Tuesday approved a policy that designates parking lots near Dale Hall and Lloyd Noble Center as smoking areas and bans cigarette smoking at the Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium and the Lloyd Noble Center. President David Boren told board members university officials feel morally obligated to set an example, particularly since hundreds of other colleges and universities across the country have adopted similar policies. The smoking policy stems from a recommendation made by a tobacco advisory committee. The rules go into effect on July 1. Anyone who repeatedly violates the policy can be subject to fines of up to $50.

University of California Plans to Ban Tobacco Use

The University of California system announced last week that it will completely ban tobacco products, including cigarettes and chewing tobacco, on all 10 of its campuses. More than 500 colleges and universities around the country ban smoking in some fashion. But the degree of these bans vary, and few have gone as far as the University of California system. Marquette’s smoking policy states that people on university property cannot smoke best quality Capital cigarettes indoors or within 25 feet of university buildings. There are no listed consequences for violating the rule. University of California President Mark Yudof sent out a letter to campus chancellors last week, making the news public. “As a national leader in healthcare and environmental practices, the University of California is ready to demonstrate leadership in reducing tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke,” Yudof wrote. “Offering a smoke-free environment will contribute positively to health and well-being of all U.C. students, faculty, stuff, and our patients and visitors.”