By Russell L. Moore, provost
Earlier this semester, the Chancellor’s Executive Committee approved a non-smoking policy for the CU-Boulder campus. The policy, which will take effect Feb. 1, mandates a no smoking campus beginning Aug. 19, 2013. The decision was made in the best interests of promoting a safe and healthy campus, and represents years of policy research, campus surveys and studies of best practices in American higher education.
In the first phase of the policy’s implementation, the campus will focus on policy awareness and resources for those who wish to quit smoking. In the spirit of that effort, I wanted to include the following Q&A to address some of the basic issues involved in implementing this important new policy.
Thank you for your attention and support for a healthy and safe campus.
Q&A:
Why is the campus moving to a no smoking policy?
CU-Boulder has a responsibility to promote a healthy campus and to support and improve the health and wellness of our students, faculty and staff. Over 1,100 colleges and universities have adopted a smoke-free policy (including the Anschutz Medical Campus), so CU-Boulder is not alone on this initiative.
When will the no smoking policy take effect?
The Boulder Campus No Smoking Policy will be in place Feb. 1, 2013, with a period of education and acclimation until Aug. 18. Beginning with the fall semester of 2013, smoking will not be permitted on campus.
Where can I find resources to quit smoking?
A number of resources will be available to individuals who wish to quit smoking. The Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (FSAP) is hosting a series of "Getting Ready to Quit: Smoking Cessation" workshops, support groups and individual counseling sessions throughout the spring semester. The next workshop meets on Monday, Feb. 4 at noon in UMC 425, and the next support group starts Feb. 27 at noon in UMC 353. For more information and to register, visit the FSAP Work-life Workshop and Group website or call the FSAP general number, 303-492-3020.
Community Health offers free, confidential, one-on-one tobacco cessation counseling to students. Through counseling, students will be able to assess their tobacco use, create a plan to quit including setting a quit date, establish coping strategies, and get support throughout the quit process. To receive free tobacco cessation counseling, please contact the Community Health office at 303-492-2937 or Healthbuffs@colorado.edu.
What is included under the policy?
“Smoking,” as used in this policy, means smoking any substance, including but not limited to, tobacco, cloves, or marijuana. “Smoking products” include but are not limited to all cigarette products (cigarettes, bidis, kreteks, etc.) and all smoke-producing products (cigars, pipes, hookahs, etc.).
How will the policy be enforced?
As many institutions have done, the primary means of enforcement will be community-based, however, existing processes for policy violations will be used once the prohibition of smoking is in effect Aug. 19.