Johnson & Wales University Bans Smoking On Campus

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Johnson & Wales University now has a smoke-free campus.

The ban began Friday on smoking, along with the use of chewing tobacco and electronic cigarettes.

University officials and the state Department of Health say it's the first college or university in Rhode Island to adopt a campus-wide, tobacco-free policy. Others have tobacco-free areas.

University spokesman Ryan Crowley says university officials hope other schools will follow their example, to commit to a healthy lifestyle and prepare students for entering a workplace that might be tobacco-free.

The university's campuses in North Miami, Florida, and Charlotte, North Carolina, became smoke-free last year.

The Denver campus joins Providence in becoming smoke-free on Friday.

The university's health and wellness committee led the initiative.

More than 1,100 colleges and universities nationwide have tobacco-free policies.

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