The Georgia Board of Regents that governs 31 colleges and universities in the University System of Georgia voted Wednesday to ban all forms of tobacco on all of its campuses.
Dalton State University in Whitfield, Ga., and the University of Georgia — the state’s flagship university — are among those that will be affected, although they and many other system schools already maintain policies restricting tobacco use on campus in various ways.
A smoking hut near the residential property leased by Dalton State is currently the only place smoking is permitted on the campus, but the new blanket policy extends even to property leased or rented by USG institutions.
The ban, which goes into effect Oct. 1, will be enforced 24 hours a day, seven days a week and extend to events hosted by USG-entities, including athletic events.
Any exceptions to the rule will be determined by the presidents of individual institutions, a news release stated.