OSU expands campus-wide tobacco products ban

OSU adopted a smoke-free campus policy for all students, employees and visitors in 2012

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Oregon State University has expanded their policy prohibiting the use of any tobacco products on all university properties. 

The expanded policy applies to all forms of tobacco products, including chewing and dipping tobacco, hookah tobacco, other forms of tobacco and vaping products.

All Oregon State-owned or controlled properties, including athletics venues, are subject to this expanded policy.

Oregon State has begun implementing the tobacco-free policy with an emphasis on providing educational awareness of the policy and offering services to help those seeking to stop using tobacco products.

OSU Cascades Communication Manager, Christine Coffin, told NewsChannel 21 the expanded policy supports one of OSU's pillars -- health and wellness.

"We're very supportive of this policy here at OSU Cascades," Coffin said Thursday. "Of course, we have our Graduate and Research Center so it will apply there, too."

She said public safety officers will be enforcing the policy. However, Coffin said smoking and the use of tobacco and other related products have not been an issue on campus.