University President and CEO Joel Seligman has announced that beginning in July 2017, all of the University’s campuses and locations will become tobacco-free both inside and outside campus buildings. A new University policy will reflect this change, which applies to River Campus, the Eastman School of Music, and all other University properties, including the Medical Center, which has been smoke-free indoors and outdoors since 2006.
In 1993, the University enacted its first smoking ban inside of campus buildings. The decision to now become completely tobacco-free—including cigarettes and e-cigarettes, cigars, pipes and vape pens, and smokeless tobacco—comes after a University working group examined the effects that the change would have on students, employees and visitors. The group concluded that becoming a wholly tobacco-free campus is in keeping with being an academic and medical institution that promotes health and wellness, and being a workplace that is welcoming and comfortable to everyone.
As part of this change, free tobacco cessation programs and resources will be promoted to University community members who wish to take advantage of them. However, with the understanding that a tobacco addiction can be significant challenge to overcome, a small number of outdoor smoking shelters will be installed on River Campus, which follows a model that the Medical Center adopted in 2006.
“After consultation with medical experts and University faculty, staff and students, broadening our indoor smoke-free policy to restrict all tobacco use at the University makes the most sense for our community,” said Seligman. “This is an important step in ensuring a healthy learning and working environment that is consistent with our mission. The University is committed to promoting good health and well-being, and with this policy we will also provide encouragement and resources to those interested in quitting.”
Signs will be posted at each building’s entrances and displayed prominently in outdoor areas to inform all individuals entering or occupying University property. The success of the tobacco-free policy will rely on University community members’ participation and help with enforcement—tobacco users will need to abstain or use the smoking shelters while on campus, and everyone will be asked to respectfully inform or remind others about the policy as needed. The tobacco-free policy will be communicated to prospective and enrolling students, as well as new employees. Organizers of University events will be responsible for communicating the policy to vendors and guests.
“In addition to a marked reduction in outdoor exposure to second-hand smoke, other universities that have adopted tobacco-free policies have seen a reduction in student and staff smoking rates, a decrease in health care costs and less litter on the campus,” said Ralph Manchester, vice provost and director of University Health Service. “We expect the same will happen here.”
As of spring 2016, there were 1,483 smoke-free campuses in the U.S, with more than two-thirds of these being fully tobacco-free.
For more information about the cessation programs available through Human Resources’ Employee Assistance Program, visit:
For students, assistance is available through University Health Service:
