UC Will Be Tobacco and Smoke Free May 1

Last year, the University of Cincinnati Board of Trustees voted to expand existing tobacco and smoking restrictions already in place on campus, such that

all UC campuses will become entirely smoke and tobacco free effective May 1, 2017.

More information, including information about smoking-cessation offerings and programs, is available online at uc.edu/tobaccofree

Since 2006, the University of Cincinnati East Campus has been a smoke-free environment while on the rest of campus, smoking was prohibited within 25 feet of all building entrances, exits, air intakes and operable windows as well as inside of buildings, athletics facilities and in vehicles owned, operated and leased by the university.

The smoke and tobacco free designation is part of an effort to protect public health and to provide for a safe and healthy environment for all students, faculty, staff and visitors.

The steering committee co-chairs leading the Tobacco Free UC effort are

• Liz Aumann, UC director of benefits, Human Resources
• Jeff Bauer, dean, UC Clermont College
• Joe Harrell, associate vice president, Facilities Management
• Amanda Lynch, field service assistant professor of human services, College of Education, Criminal Justice and Human Services
  

According to Aumann, “The new policy is in line with UC’s health-related research, teaching and patient care. This gives us a particular obligation to be sensitive to health-protection issues. As such, smoking and tobacco use, including chewing tobacco, electronic cigarettes, cigars and hookahs will be prohibited.”

She added that as of April 2016, there are at least 1,483 campuses that are 100-percent smoke free. The effort at UC gained momentum as students and faculty raised the concern. UC’s Student Government and Faculty Senate each passed separate resolutions in 2015 in favor of a smoking ban.