Raleigh, N.C. — The Wake Tech Board of Trustees on Tuesday adopted a policy that will make all Wake Tech campuses tobacco-free by next fall.

Under the policy, no student, staff member or Wake Tech visitor will be permitted to use any tobacco product in any building, facility or vehicle owned or leased by the college or at any college-related event on or off campus.

"We recognize that the use of tobacco products is not only a health hazard, but a practice that poses serious safety and environmental risks as well," Wake Tech President Stephen Scott said in a statement. "We believe that prohibiting the use of tobacco at Wake Tech is a vital step in providing the healthy learning and working environment we want for our students, faculty, staff, and visitors."

An educational campaign will include fliers and signs on every campus and frequent notices on the college Web site. Wake Tech will also offer smoking cessation classes in partnership with the American Lung Association.

Voluntary compliance will be emphasized for the first year that the new policy is in place. After that, students who violate the policy could receive a fine or be required to perform community service on campus. Employees could be subject to a written reprimand, probation, or termination.