Top 3 Stories On Campuses Banning Tobacco

West Virginia University is exploring becoming tobacco-free and banning e-cigarettes. Whitworth University is going tobacco-free starting January 1.

West Virginia University Board Gives Nod To Vaping Ban

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) — West Virginia University's Board of Governors has given initial approval to a ban on using electronic cigarettes on campus.

The Dominion Post reports the change to the university's tobacco and smoke free campus rule was unanimously approved on first reading Friday. There will be a public comment period before the proposal goes back for final adoption.

In addition to the ban, the proposal will create a Tobacco and Smoke Free Campus Steering Committee and increase the school's commitment to providing smoking cessation resources. The proposal also calls for developing a process for enforcing the ban.

Copies of the proposal will be posted on the university's website at policies.wvu.edu .

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Information from: The Dominion Post, http://www.dominionpost.com

WVU Seeks Input On Update To Tobacco-Free Campus Rules

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) — West Virginia University is seeking public input on a new proposal to tighten its tobacco-free campus rules.

School officials say the new rules will be available for public comment from Monday through Jan. 21.

Officials say the proposal would clarify that the ban includes not only the use of tobacco products but any form of smoking — including electronic smoking devices and vapor products.

The school says its board of governors will consider any comments at its Feb. 8 meeting before adopting a final rule.

School officials say the proposal is part of an ongoing revision of university governance. The move stems from the state legislature's adoption of laws permitting more independence from the state Higher Education Policy Commission.

Whitworth University To Go Tobacco-Free On Jan. 1

SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — Students who use tobacco products at Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington, will have to take their habit off-campus.

The school goes tobacco-free on Jan. 1.

School officials say discussions for making the campus tobacco- and vape-free have stretched back more than two years.

The Spokesman-Review reports an estimated 9 percent of students will be impacted by the change.

Students who are caught smoking, vaping or chewing tobacco on campus will go through a conduct process that examines each offense on a case-by-case basis. Punishment will be reserved for repeat offenders.

Some Whitworth students have voiced opposition to the smoking ban.

About 50 percent of America's colleges or universities have similar rules.

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Information from: The Spokesman-Review, http://www.spokesman.com

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