Knoxville — Students and faculty will have to put out their butts starting today at the University of Tennessee Knoxville.
After months of study, the university announced it's going smoke-free today, Aug. 1, a couple weeks ahead of the fall semester.
"Smoking will be prohibited in and on all university property," the announcement from Chris Cimino, senior vice chancellor for finance and administration.
"Smoking means inhaling, exhaling, burning, or carrying any lighted cigar, cigarette (including any electronic cigarette or similar device), pipe, or other lighted tobacco product."
Smokeless tobacco is not included in the ban.
A campus task force began studying the issue in the fall.
Current UT policy on tobacco bans smoking in buildings "owned or operated" by the university.
Also, people aren't allowed to smoke within 25 feet of doorways, windows and ventilation systems of UT buildings, the policy states.
The new ban will be sweeping. It addresses visitors as well as people who regularly are on campus.
According to Cimino's notice, you won't be able to smoke in your car when it's on university property.
The Knoxville campus is part of a national trend, with more campuses prohibiting smoking.
UT also is offering resources for those who want to quit. You can get that info here.
Last summer, university officials announced they also were reviewing alcohol use on campus.