The University of Texas at Arlington is banning smoking on campus – indoors and out.

The ban, announced today, takes effect in August 2011.

It's believed to be the first of its kind at a four-year college in North Texas.

"The use of tobacco is a serious issue that affects the health and well-being of our entire campus community," James Spaniolo, UTA's president, said in a written statement.

"During the past two decades, we have experienced a sea change in attitudes, culture, policies, and laws related to tobacco use... [T]imes have changed, and it is time for UT Arlington to take the next step forward in protecting the health of our campus community."

Currently, the school prohibits smoking indoors and within 50 feet of building entrances.

In extending the ban, UTA joins a growing list of U.S. campuses. According to the American Nonsmokers' Rights Foundation, there are now more than 365 smoke-free campuses across the country.

Just this week, the University of Kentucky -- in the heart of America's tobacco-growing region -- banned smoking across its campus.

UTA's action affirms a recommendation made in September by a 15-member committee that included students and staff members.

As part of its work, the committee surveyed students, faculty and staff members. More than 60 percent who responded said they favored a campus-wide ban, Spaniolo said.

The only exception to the new policy will be to allow people to smoke in their cars, "so long as they do so with the windows closed and properly dispose of waste material," the president said.

No smoking will be allowed in university-owned vehicles.