Nearly 800 colleges and universities in the US have banned smoking on campus in recent years, and many are joining in the campaign in a bid to foster a healthier campus environment, according to media reports.

The George Washington University (GW) and American University (AU), both in Washington, DC, announced new policies this month stipulating that smoking will not be allowed anywhere on campus in 2013.

In July, the University of Maryland announced that each of its 12 campuses would become smoke-free by June 30, 2013.

Baltimore's Towson University launched a smoke-free policy in 2010, and the University of the District of Columbia joined the ranks in late 2011.

Many universities are taking up the policy in light of recent research.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 20 percent of deaths in the US are related to smoking, and 80 percent of substance abusers started smoking as early as 18 years old. Research has also shown that people who are not smokers by the age of 26 are very unlikely to take up the habit in the future.

Global Times