UAF is a tobacco-free campus - now what?

February 26, 2016

By Mike Powers
UAF chancellor

From time to time, we still get questions about our new tobacco-free campus policy — especially questions surrounding enforcement. I was a University of Alaska regent when we adopted the policy, and I can tell you that I personally feel it's important to the health of our employees and our students.

I do believe the success of this policy will depend on the cooperation of smokers and nonsmokers. You may have wondered what to say if you see someone using tobacco on our campus. I have also. I recently was surprised to see someone smoking on campus, despite our best efforts to educate everyone.

These interactions can be uncomfortable. You are not required to approach a person who is smoking, but if you do, here's one possible approach:

"You may not be aware that the university adopted a smoke-free/tobacco-free campus regulation recently. The regulation prohibits use of (insert the appropriate product here) cigarettes, cigars, pipes, kreteks, bidis, other inhalable burning substances and all smokeless tobacco and tobacco-containing products, unless you’re in your personal vehicle.”

Please be courteous and nonconfrontational in your interactions with our students, staff, faculty and visitors.
Everyone is expected to follow this policy. If you are hosting an event on campus, please communicate this new policy to your participants.

Supervisors should share this information and explain that violating the tobacco-free campus policy will be treated as any other violation of campus policies. Consider sharing information and resources with employees who want help quitting. While employees are permitted to use tobacco off campus or in vehicles during their regular breaks, they are not allotted additional break time.

This is a positive step in our continued efforts to create a healthy work and learning environment.
Concerns about a violation of the policy will be referred to the appropriate unit for review and action.

▪ Visitors and guests may be required to leave campus if they fail to conform to the policy or regulation.
▪ If you are an employee looking for information to help you kick the tobacco habit, visit www.alaska.edu/benefits/tobacco-use/.
▪ If you are a student, please visit www.uaf.edu/chc/health-counseling-service/. You can contact Alaska’s Tobacco Quit Line at 1-800-quit-now or www.quitnow.net/alaska/. Several smart phone apps also can help you quit.
Thank you for helping to keep our campus safe and healthy.