ST. CLOUD - St. Cloud State University has included electronic cigarettes in its tobacco-free policy this year.

St. Cloud State University's tobacco-free policy now bans both regular smoking or smokeless e-cigarettes.The policy officially added e-cigs in July.

Smoking is banned both indoors and outdoors at the University. The tobacco-free policy will be enforced on all University property, including the river walk and parts of Barden Park. You can view the tobacco-free boundaries map here.

The Minnesota Legislature recently amended the Minnesota Clean Indoor Act to stop the use of electronic cigarettes in any building owned by Minnesota State College and Universities.

If students are found breaking the tobacco-free policy:

  • 1st offense - Written warning.
  • 2nd offense - Meeting with a conduct officer, may result in fees or educational programs.
  • 3rd offense - Action will be determined by conduct officer.
You can find more information on the SCSU tobacco-free policy here.

 
According to the 2014 College Student Health Survey, students who support a smoke-free policy has risen to 77.1 percent, up from 59.5 percent in 2012. The report also says the number of daily tobacco users has declined every year since SCSU started implementing a tobacco-free policy in 2012

St. Cloud State sites the Minnesota Department of Health, saying the e-cigarettes are not regulated by the FDA and that there is no evidence supporting e-cigarettes being safer than regular smoking.

More From AM 1240 WJON