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Killing campus tobacco

WINONA, MN (KTTC-TV) -- Winona State University is trying to clean up the campus by cracking down on smokers, and the new policy has some students stressing out.

It would be far-fetched to call the Winona State campus dirty, but in a long walk to class you can catch the aroma of a cigarette, or the site of burnt out butts littered on the ground.

Soon, by campus law, no more ciggies and no more chew.

Current laws prohibit smoking inside campus buildings and within 25 feet outside the buildings, but as a of January 12th, there will be no tobacco use anywhere on the entire campus.

Winona State University Registered Nurse Maureen Guillou says, "Once you step foot on our property, you may not use tobacco."

Some students can't wait for the change.

One WSU freshman says, "I think it's a good idea, because I think smoking is disgusting and it's bad for you."

But for the smoking population, feelings are mixed.

Winona State freshman Lance Lietzau says, "It's not going to be too bad, because there's a lot of places just off campus that we can go to."

Senior Sawyer Derry says, "We have to be so far away from buildings already, and it just seems kind of dumb to me."

Besides the second hand benefits, the new rule could offer other health benefits for smokers.

Guillou says, "It has shown that the tobacco-free policy has helped students to not initiate smoking and even the current smokers to decrease their smoking."

In January, Winona State will join about 120 other Universities across the country that prohibit tobacco on campus.

Officials say penalties for smoking on campus will be handed down verbally; however, smokers will be able to smoke on campus if they are in their cars.