Sorry but that just doesn't even sound right.

There is no way the school would provide designated on campus smoking areas of the school - it is illegal for one, and doesn't make any sense.

I would be questioning this friend of your sons.
We smoked on campus, but while the teachers did what they could to discourage it, there were also areas the teachers didn't venture regularly - it was never condoned nor acceptable though and they most certainly did not set up designated areas where it was allowed.

I think your sons friend is full of the proverbial.