Tobacco, e-cigs get crushed out at UT Dallas

By the time spring is in the air at the University of Texas at Dallas, cigarette smoke won't be.

In a recent letter to the UT Dallas community, university President Richard Benson said the school will begin imposing a ban on all tobacco products and any product that dispenses nicotine, such as e-cigarettes.

"It is incumbent upon an institution dedicated to education and research to take a stand that addresses the health of all members of its community, smokers and nonsmokers alike," he wrote. "Likewise, we are obligated to do what we can as an institution to influence public attitudes and perceptions about tobacco."

Benson said the university is following the lead of other schools in the University of Texas System, which have effectively banned the products.

" Our paramount concern is assisting our valued faculty, staff and students who suffer from nicotine addiction," he wrote.