Smoke Free Campus in Washington Soon.

A lot of Universities have adopted a strict campus smoking ban that covers both indoor and outdoor areas. But Washington University just announced that it will go smoke free by July 2010. In 2007, the School of Medicine from Washington banned tobacco use on its property too.
In this way smoking and tobacco use will be prohibited everywhere on campus, including on all university-owned and -managed properties.
Chancellor Mark Wrighton said that the new legislation will be difficult for some students, but he believe that this is the right and best policy for the health of all who live, work and study at Washington University.
The school will begin offering free smoking-cessation programs to students, faculty and staff members, for to help aid in the transition. Smoking-cessation medicine will also be given for free to students who want it and who are covered by the university’s student health insurance.

Smoking cessation help offered through the university’s health services may lead those who hate walking across the street to a smoke-free lifestyle, and that, is one of the best outcomes possible. Maybe this new legislation will be a good time for people to quit their bad habit, reported researchers.
President Judith Ramaley said: "In accordance with our mission, we are devoted to improving the health and well-being of our campus community by setting an example of healthy practice.

Washington University is not the first university where smoking will be banned. For example, St. Charles Community College became a tobacco-free campus in 2007. And the University of Missouri-Columbia banned smoking inside all of its buildings in January. The school also has prohibited smoking within 20 feet of building entrances, exits, windows and fresh-air intake systems. By 2011, even Mizzou plans to have smoking in designated areas only. Chancellor Brady Deaton has said that the ultimate goal is to have the campus smoke-free by 2014.

Whatever the strategy used to devise and implement a policy, whether by administrative fiat, campus-wide debate and consensus, or religious doctrine, smoke-free campuses can be a powerful tool in the ongoing effort to encourage healthy lifestyles. Despite the obstacles and occasional resistance, universities and colleges can develop smoke-free policies and set an example for the broader community.