Smokers who live, work or study on any Penn State campus may soon have to find somewhere else to light up.
Pointing to the health of the university community, the Penn State Smoke Free/Tobacco Free Task Force made the recommendation that the University become tobacco-free.
“We hope to see a healthier Penn State because of it. That was the impetus for the recommendations from the taskforce, and that really was the foremost thought in the process. We would really love to see everyone associated with Penn State be a little healthier because of it.”
Renee Borromeo is co-chair of the task force and a faculty member at Penn State Mont Alto. She said task force members spoke with a wide variety of students, staff and faculty from across the university to get feedback.
The recommendations cover tobacco as well as vaping.
According to the university, if the change is made, Penn State will become the 11th Big Ten school with similar policies.
The University says the next step is consideration by President Barron and the administration. A decision is expected this semester.
I’m Anne Danahy, WPSU.