Smoking will be banned in all dorms at public and private colleges and universities in New York, WIVB-TV in Albany reported July 8.

Under legislation signed by Gov. David Paterson, the smoking ban will go into effect at the start of the school year this fall. The measure was passed by the state Assembly and Senate in June.

In 2007, the State University of New York system banned smoking in dorms, and schools like Syracuse University and Ithaca College have implemented similar bans. Many states have passed laws prohibiting indoor smoking, but such bans don't typically apply to residences.