ORONO (AP) – The University of Maine is looking to become tobacco-free.

The state’s flagship campus already bans smoking in buildings and does not permit the sale of tobacco. Now, it’s asking faculty, staff and students to suggest changes in smoking policy en route to a tobacco-free future.

“This is happening at dozens, if not hundreds, of universities around the country,” university spokesman Joe Carr said.

UMaine hopes to announce next fall that the campus is moving to become tobacco-free and to have its new policy in effect a year later.

“It was thought that this was the thing that a university should step up to the plate and do,” Dean of Students Robert Dana said. “It’s a health and wellness issue. It makes dollar sense and it seems to be the right thing to do.”

Dana is uncertain whether the campus would become completely smoke-free or include a limited number of designated smoking areas.

“Most people who do smoke don’t want to,” he said. “One of the things that makes it easier for people not to smoke is to reduce the access as to where you can smoke.”

While there are signs outside university buildings that designate smoke-free zones within 20 feet of doorways, many smokers ignore those restrictions.

Dana said the university’s plan shouldn’t be considered an infringement on the rights of smokers, but rather as a public health campaign designed to save the system money and improve the health of those on campus.

“The university is sensitive and mindful that people who smoke are struggling with that and that we don’t want to be arrogant or pushy,” Dana said. “We want people to get to a place where people can feel free of this.”

Carr said the idea is sure to draw some opposition and the policy will likely be voluntary when it goes into effect.

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Information from: Bangor Daily News, http://www.bangornews.com

AP-ES-04-09-08 0810EDT

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