Schools

USF Smoking Ban Begins

The Tampa campus became 'entirely tobacco and smoke free' on Monday.

TAMPA, FL — Lighting up on the University of South Florida’s Tampa campus is now officially off limits. The school’s Tobacco Free Campus policy kicked into effect Monday, Jan. 4, as students and faculty returned from the winter break.

Under the ban, “Smoking and use of tobacco products will not be allowed in any indoor or outdoor area, including parking garages, grounds, sidewalks or recreational areas,” the university announced. The new policy is meant to “promote overall health and wellness for the university community and create more attractive and enjoyable campus experience by completely eliminating smoking and tobacco product use.”

The policy comes with some potential teeth attached for repeat violators. While those in the campus community are asked to encourage others to comply, repeat offenders, including students and faculty, may face disciplinary action.

Find out what's happening in Temple Terracefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The move to go smoke-free was announced last year as a way to make the campus “a healthy place to learn, live and work.” The ban extends to e-cigarettes, as well, as standard tobacco products.

To find out more, visit USF online.

Find out what's happening in Temple Terracefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

What do you think about the policy? Tell us by commenting below!

Image via Shutterstock

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

More from Temple Terrace