Southern University System Goes Tobacco-Free

The Southern Board of Supervisors has decided to ban tobacco at all of Southern University's campuses starting in January.
The Advocate reports the move makes Southern the first college system in Louisiana to ban all tobacco products. Nicholls State University became the first public college in Louisiana to become tobacco free at the beginning of this calendar year.
Southern University System President Ronald Mason Jr. says the new policy is about promoting healthy lifestyles and setting a quality standard for all of higher education.
Officials say the move was based on two U.S. surgeon general reports that said secondhand smoke is a Class A carcinogen that can cause cancer and there's no safe level of exposure.
The ban will affect the main Southern academic campuses in Baton Rouge, New Orleans and Shreveport, the Southern University Law Center and the Southern University Agricultural Center.
Under the new policy, smoking or the use of tobacco products will not be allowed in any buildings, administrative facilities, dormitories or on the campus grounds, including athletic fields and parking areas.