After the policy was first announced to students, faculty and staff on Oct. 27, Rockhurst University is now a smoke and tobacco-free campus.

The policy, which went into effect Jan. 1, 2017, encompasses the entire Rockhurst campus. All those on campus property must refrain from using smoke or tobacco products. The policy also prohibits the usage of e-cigarettes.

In addition to not being able to use these products in academic and administrative buildings, campus goers are not allowed to use tobacco products on all campus properties, including on-campus houses, the parking garage, parking lots, university-owned sidewalks and residence halls.

According to Rockhurst President the Rev. Thomas B. Curran, S.J. in an email sent in late October, the university’s Health and Wellness Committee recommended that Rockhurst “join more than 1,100 campuses nationwide–including our neighbor UMKC–that have instituted smoke and tobacco-free policies.” The President’s Council endorsed the idea due to the “numerous health risks associated with tobacco use.”

It is not been made entirely clear how those who break the policy will be punished. University administrators have noted that students who use smoke and tobacco products on campus will be subject to punishments outlined by the student code of conduct. Beyond that, though, not many are sure how severe such punishments will be.

According to tobaccofreecampus.org, “tobacco-free policies reduce costs for grounds and building maintenance. … One study found 77 percent fewer cigarette butts on college campuses with 100 percent smoke-free campus-wide policies.”

In addition to UMKC, the University of Missouri-Columbia, Drury University and Maryville University are all smoke-free campuses in Missouri. In nearby Kansas, Fort Hayes State University and Pittsburgh State University are notable campuses that are tobacco-free.