MUSC campus going tobacco-free in March

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — Tobacco will soon be banned from the Medical University of South Carolina.

The Post and Courier of Charleston reports Saturday (http://bit.ly/rClXsk ) that the medical school’s campus will be a tobacco-free zone in March.

President Ray Greenberg told employees in an e-mail that part of MUSC’s mission is to prevent cancer and to lead by example with a healthy campus environment.

The new rules apply to faculty, students, volunteers, patients and visitors. They bar smoking in vehicles parked on MUSC property and even forbid smelling like cigarettes. Employees who repeatedly violate the policy could be fired.

If vendors smoke on the job, their contracts could be terminated.

MUSC will offer low-cost programs to help people kick the habit.

Student and faculty leaders recommended the proposal, which the board approved.

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Information from: The Post and Courier, http://www.postandcourier.com