Dawn Parker

Lansing State Journal

EAST LANSING – Michigan State University will join more than 1,500 college campuses when it goes tobacco-free in 2016.

MSU’s Board of Trustees approved a tobacco-free ordinance at their meeting Wednesday. The ordinance will go into effect Aug. 15, 2016.

The ordinance forbids the use of traditional tobacco products like cigarettes and chewing tobacco, as well as e-cigarettes and vaporizers. The ordinance applies to all MSU sites, not just the main campus in East Lansing.

Anything which helps smokers quit, like patches or pills, will be allowed to be used.

At least one professor applauded the decision.

“MSU should have a nonsmoking policy because it improves our collective health. Second-hand smoke sucks,” said Henry Brimmer, assistant professor in the Department of Advertising and Public Relations in the College of Communication Arts and Sciences.

The 14-month delay will give anyone affected by the ordinance time to learn about it and to do whatever is necessary to not be in violation, university officials said.

Task force members will spend the next year making sure MSU staff, students and campus visitors know about the ordinance.

A task force created by Provost June Youatt in February developed the ordinance.

“This is an important step in improving the health of our campus community and committing ourselves to create the healthiest academic and workplace environment possible at MSU,” Youatt said in a press release.

More information about the ordinance can be found at tobaccofree.msu.edu or send an e-mail to TobaccoFree@msu.edu with concerns or questions.