MSU becomes first Texas public university to establish tobacco-free campus

           As a result of the May 16 Board of Regents meeting, the Midwestern State University will prohibit smoking or the use of any tobacco products on campus to become effective January 1, 2010. MSU becomes the first public university in Texas to establish such a policy.

            The policy was established in an effort to promote a safe, healthy, and pleasant environment for the campus community. Tobacco use has adverse health effects on users and non-users who share the same space as convincingly documented in the Surgeon General's report of 2006.

            Therefore, smoking or other tobacco use, tobacco advertising, tobacco sales, and free distribution of tobacco products are prohibited on the MSU campus. This includes all university owned or leased buildings or vehicles and all public outdoor areas under the jurisdiction of MSU. Tobacco use includes the possession of any lighted tobacco product or the use of any oral tobacco product.

            The university plans to provide educational and social support for all members of the campus community who wish to cease tobacco use.