Kent State University to Ban On-Campus Tobacco use in 2017

In about a year students at Kent State will have to put their cigarettes out and spit out their chewing tobacco when they’re on university grounds.

Kent State officials have told members of the board of trustees that the use of tobacco will be banned across all campuses starting July 1, 2017, according to a press release sent to Patch.

Kent State is just the latest public university in Ohio to ban tobacco. Ohio University, Cleveland State, Ohio State University and many more have all banned tobacco use on campus due to pressure from the Ohio Board of Regents.

Campuses going tobacco-free isn’t trending only in Ohio.

The number of tobacco-free campuses in the United States rose from 466 in 2011 to 1,577 in July 2015, according to the Tobacco Free College Campus Initiative.

Kent State will hold a town hall meeting on smoking and tobacco March 16. The university will also hold cessation meetings and programs after the ban is enacted.

Students are currently required to smoke and use tobacco at least 20 feet away from buildings.

Kent State launched a four-year partnership with the Jed Foundation Health Matters Campus Program March 10 to assist with substance abuse, mental health and suicide prevention.