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K-State Today

April 20, 2018

Old college tradition returns with Cats For Clean Air

Submitted by Cats for Clean Air

When the Cats for Clean Air policy is implemented on June 1, Kansas State University will reinstate a policy that dates back to the university's founding. When the Kansas State Agricultural College was established in 1863 the Kansas Board of Regents issued a directive that stated "No Smoking On Campus."

During World War I, a request was made by students in the Student Army Training Corps for a concession to the no smoking on campus rule. Both President Jardine, college president at the time, and Captain Sturges, the commander of the corps, relented. Corps members were initially allowed to smoke in the barracks and, over time smoking became accepted on campus.

In past decades the health-driven movement to restrict smoking in public became more prevalent. History repeats itself as K-State now joins the other public universities in the state with a no-smoking ban.

Link to policy, and programs are available for those K-Staters who seek assistance with cessation efforts.