IRONTON — Ohio University Southern is now a tobacco-free following new university policies that will prohibit the use of all forms of tobacco on the two OUS campuses in Lawrence County.

“OUS is implementing a tobacco-free policy to create a healthier environment for students, faculty, staff, and visitors,” said Nicole Pennington, dean of Ohio University Southern. “We do feel that the policy sends a very strong message that we want to protect the health of our student body.”

In the past, students with allergies or asthma have expressed concern about tobacco smoke on campus.

“We want to eliminate that hazard for everyone,” said Pennington.

While the new policy will prohibit students from using tobacco, it is “not meant to be punitive in nature,” said Pennington.

Pennington said that the university has been working on the change for a while and has taken steps to inform the OUS community about the policy that will be in place when classes begin this fall.

In an effort to inform students about the new policy, signs will be posted around campus and information about it is available on the OUS website.

“We believe that creating a tobacco-free campus is an attainable one, as we have witnessed exponential growth in the adoption of these policies by other academic institutions in all regions of the country,” said Pennington. “I think our students will embrace the policy.”