University Of Oklahoma Designates Smoking Areas

The University of Oklahoma Board of Regents has voted to restrict smoking to two designated areas on the Norman campus.

The board on Tuesday approved a policy that designates parking lots near Dale Hall and Lloyd Noble Center as smoking areas and bans cigarette smoking at the Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium and the Lloyd Noble Center.

President David Boren told board members university officials feel morally obligated to set an example, particularly since hundreds of other colleges and universities across the country have adopted similar policies.

The smoking policy stems from a recommendation made by a tobacco advisory committee.

The rules go into effect on July 1. Anyone who repeatedly violates the policy can be subject to fines of up to $50.