Georgia Southern University will become 100 percent tobacco-free Friday, GSU President Brooks Keel announced.

The move to prohibit tobacco use across campus comes after a March vote by the Board of Regents to ban the use of tobacco products on property owned, leased, rented or in the possession of the University System of Georgia.

The new initiative applies to all students, faculty, staff, contractors and their subcontractors and employees, spectators and visitors. It also includes any satellite campuses and all events hosted by the university.

The university will remove all ash urns and replace them with signage displaying the universal "no smoking" sign. It also will provide cessation classes and other information to individuals who wish to discontinue using tobacco products.

“Beginning August 1, the use of tobacco is prohibited in any area of campus,” said Keel, in an email to faculty and staff. “This includes all indoor and outdoor areas that are owned and leased by the university, including but limited to, all buildings and facilities, outdoor areas, stadiums, parking lots and vehicles on campus.

“We all know that change is not always easy, but the USG policy change reinforces our commitment to preserving and improving the health and comfort of our students, faculty, staff and guests,” said Keel. “The commitment to a tobacco-free campus is a responsibility we all share together, whether you are a tobacco user or not.”