Miami-Dade College Now Smoke Free

MIAMI (CBS4) - Miami-Dade College is now kicking butts – it's gone tobacco and smoke-free.

College officials announced the ban Thursday which applies to all college property, including buildings, parking garages and lots, plazas and courtyards. It also applies to all college visitors and contractors.

"It is a matter of improving our college community's health," said MDC President Dr. Eduardo Padrón in a statement. "We are committed to providing a healthy environment and to supporting our students' and staff's health, and this is good step in the right direction."

MDC's going tobacco and smoke-free follows a national trend. The college is the third higher education institution in the state of Florida and one of more than 380 campuses across the nation to adopt the policy.