(ABC 6 NEWS) -- As students return to class today at Winona State University, they'll have to watch where they light up.

A campus-wide ban on cigarettes and chewing tobacco will go into effect.

This is the last time Nick Donnelly will be lighting up on campus.

"I think it's unfair to be honest, I mean you're outside. Smoking inside, yeah that's something they should take out, but smoking outside you're in the fresh air," said Donnelly.

Winona State University's tobacco-free policy starts Monday, meaning no smoking, or chewing tobacco anywhere on campus grounds.

For those who do want to light up, they're going to have to take their cigarette across the street.

"The only exception is if you smoke in your car with the windows rolled up on the parking lot," said Vicki Englich.

The rule came about after months of review.

A survey was also given to students and faculty to see how they felt about a possible ban.

"The overwhelming response was yes, our campus should be tobacco free," said Englich.

Other schools may soon follow this trend.
    
Talks are underway at other campuses including Rochester Community and Technical College, making college campuses the latest battleground in the smoking debate.

The ban benefits students like Nikki Hegge who just can't stand the smell of smoke.

"Following people who smokes kind of sucks sometimes, like if you can't breathe and it makes me not breathe even more," said Hegge.

Even if Donnelly thinks it's unfair, he says he won't be protesting the ban. 

"I'm going to obey the rules of course. I'm going to be a good boy," he said.

School officials say they'll work closely with residents around the campus to make sure the ban won't have a negative effect in their neighborhood.
   
Winona State will be the second state campus to go smoke-free, after Minnesota State University in Moorhead did so a year ago.

The University doesn't expect to run into problems with enforcing this ban, however if a student is caught smoking on campus, they will be punished after their first warning.