ORONO, Maine (AP) — The University of Maine at Orono says it will become a tobacco-free campus beginning next year.

University officials said Thursday the school over the next 10 months will implement an information campaign and work with students and employees to kick the habit. The policy will be voluntary in 2011 and mandatory beginning Jan. 1, 2012.

The university announced plans in 2007 to move toward becoming a smoke-free campus, joining a growing list of at least 365 U.S. colleges and universities with similar policies.

University of Maine President Robert Kennedy says the policy will enhance community life, improve productivity through better health and potentially lead to lower health care costs.

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On the Net: www.umaine.edu/tobaccofree


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