LA CROSSE, Wis. -- Two La Crosse medical centers are taking their no-smoking policy outdoors.

The facilities have instituted rules that prohibit employees, patients and family members at Gundersen Lutheran and Franciscan Skemp from smoking outside on the grounds beginning Jan. 1.

Franciscan Skemp Dr. Thomas Grau said that smoking anywhere on campus has been a disservice to employees and visitors.

Smoking will also be banned on the grounds of all Franciscan Skemp affiliated clinics and hospitals, including Onalaska, Arcadia, Sparta, Tomah, Prairie du Chien and Galesville.

Gundersen Lutheran Dr. Todd Mahr said that its campuses in La Crosse and Onalaska will go smoke-free on Jan. 1, but other affiliated clinics and hospitals will have until the end of 2007 to develop a smoke-free campus plan.