By Austin Schmitt

UK President Lee Todd announced Tuesday an initiative for a campus-wide smoking ban beginning as early as the Fall 2009 semester.

During the Board of Trustees meeting, Todd said a committee will be formed to figure out how to implement the ban. The committee will be headed by Anthany Beatty, UK’s assistant vice president for campus services and campus safety, and Ellen Hahn, a professor in the College of Nursing and the Head of UK’s Tobacco Policy Research Program.

UK will be one of 160 campuses around the country with a smoking ban but will be the first in Kentucky, Hahn said.

By the beginning of 2009, student and faculty members will be chosen to aid Beatty and Hahn. How to implement the campus-wide ban will depend on the input from students and faculty members, Hahn said.

Todd said he saw the positive effects a ban has had on other parts of the city and believes the same type of ban could help the campus.

“It is proven that smoke-free restaurants have enhanced their environments,” Todd said. “This could enhance campus life and student life.”

Economics junior David Hofe said a campus-wide ban seems harsh.

“It seems kind of extreme to me,” Hofe said. “Once you’re 18, you’re allowed to buy it. It’s not illegal.”

Hahn praised the decision as a good business plan.

“The country spends $193 billion treating people getting sick from smoking each year and $10 billion for secondhand smoking,” Hahn said.

Along with the large health care costs, smoking takes a toll on the budget of students, Hahn said. Tobacco companies target college-age students.

“(The) main target is young adults. They’re a growing customer,” Hahn said. “This gives students an excuse to quit. When people can’t light up on campus, they have a better reason to quit.”