Cleveland State University (CSU) is planning to evict the iconic Cousin's Cigar store and move the administrative offices of the Northeast Ohio Medical University as well as a health clinic to the premises in order to implement campus-wide no tobacco policy

The building that houses the store has been taken into possession by Cleveland State University from the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. The store has been operating at Euclid Avenue for the past 60 years. The owners of Cousin's Cigar have to vacate by May 31.

"The university seeks to set a model for a tobacco free workplace and promotion of healthy lifestyle," Frederick F. Kantz, director of facility administration, CSU, told Cleveland. "Having a cigar shop in the same building which houses both our health clinic and NEOMED offices is not conducive to that model."

Store Manager John Coleman told the newspaper that they will be opening another branch at Akron in an independent building. Cousin's other locations include Woodmere and Avon.

Based on a recommendation from the Ohio Board of Regents, Cleveland State University will be the first college in the state to implement no tobacco policy, starting next fall.

Joe Mosbrook, director of strategic communications said that the university was trying to encourage a culture of non-smoking, akin to policies adapted at restaurants and indoor facilities.

As a result, the university has drafted an anti-tobacco policy that bans anyone from using tobacco of any kind on campus including parking garages, lots and personal cars being used for university business.

A task group comprising of members from varied departments of the university will also develop the policy that will finalise campus boundaries, complaint procedures, enforcement and disciplinary consequences.