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University of Kentucky Tobacco-Free Policy

"Enacting the tobacco-free policy at the University of Kentucky in November will greatly improve the campus atmosphere for all members of our community," said UK President Lee T. Todd, Jr. "This policy has already created a healthier environment for patients, workers, and visitors at the UK HealthCare Medical Campus, and we look forward to the long-term benefits of its implementation throughout all areas of the UK campus."

The University of Kentucky campus became completely tobacco-free on all campus grounds and parking areas on November 19, 2009, coinciding with the American Cancer Society's Great American Smokeout®, held annually on the third Thursday in November. The tobacco-free policy, which prohibits the use of all tobacco products on all grounds and parking areas (traditional cigarettes, e-cigarettes, chew, pipes, cigars, hookah or waterpipe smoking, snus, snuff, etc.), applies to all areas of the contiguous UK campus in Lexington, indoors and out.

When this change was enacted on November 19, UK joined more than 300 other United States colleges and universities with tobacco-free policies in place for the entire campus, indoors and out.

Comments

Your suggestions for how the university can best implement this policy are encouraged. Please send us your comments.

November 19, 2009, in conjunction with the American Cancer Society's Great American Smokeout®.

Members of the Tobacco-Free Task force have been presenting to, and interacting with, a wide variety of both students and employees. These presentations include many different official University committees and groups, organizations involving various different colleges, UK colleges' student ambassador groups, and registered student organizations. We encourage all members of the UK community to view this training information (PDF).

Smoking or use of any tobacco product will not be permitted in any facility or on the grounds of the University of Kentucky.

The policy applies to every person who comes to the University of Kentucky campus, including visitors, faculty, staff, volunteers, students, contractors, and service representatives.

Yes, the policy applies to all areas of campus, including student housing.

Tobacco products include, but are not limited to, cigarettes (traditional and e-cigarettes), chew, pipes, cigars, hookah or waterpipe smoking, snuff, and snus.

The entire University of Kentucky campus and Fayette County properties are included in this policy. By November 19, 2009, clearly visible signs will be in place to indicate tobacco-free boundaries. See map for details.

No. The university is not asking anyone to quit. This policy simply means that no one can use tobacco products on the University of Kentucky campus.

Visit the following locations for more information:

  • Kentucky Clinic Pharmacy – 740 S. Limestone, J-134 Kentucky Clinic – on the first floor of the Kentucky Clinic facility at the Limestone entrance
  • University Health Service Pharmacy – 830 S. Limestone – on the first floor of the University Health Service Building (across the street from Speedway®)
  • UK Chandler Hospital Gift Shop – 800 Rose Street – 1st floor off the main lobby
  • UK Good Samaritan Hospital Gift Shop – 310 S. Limestone – lower level

    UK Convenience Stores:

  • Blazer Xpress – Located on North Campus next to Blazer Café, on the corner of Martin Luther King and Keeneland Dr.
  • Corner Store – Located on South Campus next to Commons Market in the Kirwan/Blanding Complex
  • Quick Stop – Located in the Student Center just inside the bridge entrance across from Starbucks®

No. The policy prohibits use of tobacco products in any parking structure, parking lot, or shuttle serving the University of Kentucky. To feel more comfortable while on campus and unable to use tobacco products, nicotine gum and patches are available for a deeply discounted price at all convenience stores, UK pharmacies, and hospital gift shops.

No. Tobacco use is prohibited in all UK-operated parking areas, both inside and outside of vehicles.

Yes. When this change is enacted on November 19, UK will join more than 300 other United States colleges and universities with tobacco-free free and smoke-free policies in place for the entire campus, indoors and out. Campuses in Kentucky that will be going tobacco-free include: the University of Louisville and Bellarmine University.

The following are suggesting scripted messages others are encouraged to say when they see someone violating the policy:

Example Script #1:
Situation: You see a person using tobacco products on UK property.
Response: "Hello, my name is _______, and I am an (employee, student) here at UK. I want to make you aware that we are now a Tobacco-Free campus … meaning that tobacco products are prohibited on our grounds. We would appreciate if you would not use tobacco products while visiting our campus. Thank you for your cooperation."

Example Script #2:
Question: "Where am I allowed to smoke?"
Response: "Smoking and other tobacco products are not allowed anywhere on the UK campus.
This is a new policy, put in place on November 19, meant to promote better health in our students and employees. If you need to smoke or use tobacco products you will need to leave the campus.
We do have nicotine gum and patches available for you to purchase at a discount at all convenience stores on campus, pharmacies, and hospital gift shops. Using these nicotine products will help you feel more comfortable while on campus."

Example Script #3:
For Vendors and Visitors: "I'd like to let you know in advance that UK campus is going to be a Tobacco-Free environment as of November 19, 2009. Use of tobacco products will not be permitted on any property, grounds, or parking areas. Nicotine gum and patches can be purchased all convenience stores on campus, UK pharmacies, and at the hospital gift shops. We have employees, students, and patients who are trying to quit using tobacco. Thank you for respecting our policy."

Example Script #4:
For registration, pre-admission, and office staff who are speaking to students and families prior to a UK campus visit: "I'd like to let you know in advance that UK campus is going to be a Tobacco-Free environment as of November 19, 2009. Use of tobacco products will not be permitted on any property, grounds, or parking areas. Nicotine gum and patches can be purchased all convenience stores on campus, UK pharmacies, and at the hospital gift shops. Thank you for your understanding."

Click on the Tobacco Treatment Resources tab for more information. A special section is available for faculty and staff.

Click on the Tobacco Treatment Resources tab for more information. A special section is available for UK students.

The University of Kentucky values the health and well-being of everyone who uses our facilities. If you use tobacco products and would like to quit, discuss with your physician or other health care provider which of the approaches may work best for you.

A variety of resources to help stop using tobacco, if you choose to do so, are available. Visit the Tobacco Treatment Resources tab for more information.

Electronic cigarettes are not a safe alternative to traditional cigarettes. The FDA has found several safety concerns regarding the use of these products, which are designed to deliver variable amounts of nicotine.

Many health proponents, most notably the World Health Organization, have expressed serious concerns about the adverse health effects of electronic cigarettes. These organizations, including the FDA, cite a serious lack of safety data regarding the inhalation of known hazardous chemicals such as propylene glycol (found in antifreeze) and tobacco specific nitrosamines (which cause cancer), which have been found in e-cigs when tested. We know these chemicals are harmful. The FDA does not regulate e-cigarettes and does not consider them to be a safe nicotine delivery system. E-cigarettes are currently banned for import by the FDA.

UK's tobacco-free policy aims to promote a healthy environment including cleaner, safer air where everyone can live, work, and learn. Prohibiting electronic cigarettes is consistent with the aim of the policy.

There are two reasons why UK decided not to create designated smoking areas. First, designated smoking areas are not consistent with the policy. The aim of UK's tobacco-free policy is to create a healthy environment to live, work, and learn. Creating smoking areas sends a message that tobacco use is acceptable; rather, the university promotes healthy lifestyles and provides assistance for students and employees who are ready to quit and for those who need to manage their addiction symptoms while on campus. Second, designated smoking areas create confusion and are a compliance challenge. Experience on other college campuses and best practice for tobacco policy pointed us in the direction of a comprehensive campus wide tobacco-free policy with no designated smoking areas. Rarely do people comply with designated smoking areas.

Tobacco-Free Policy Compliance Training Information

Click here to listen to the special edition of UK at the Half, featuring the UK Tobacco-Free Policy.

Click here (PDF) for the tobacco-free brochure.

According to a survey completed in May 2009, 64 percent of UK's students, 77 percent of UK's faculty and 63 percent of UK's staff felt positive to very positive about the campus becoming tobacco-free. More information about the Spring 2009 survey can be found here (DOC).

According to a survey by the Department of Communication at the University of Kentucky and conducted by investigators Dr. Elisia Cohen, Assistant Professor; Dr. Nancy Harrington, Professor and Chair; and by Dr. Donald Helme, Assistant Professor in Fall 2009, 75.7 percent of UK's faculty and staff, and 61 percent of students, felt the tobacco-free policy will be somewhat to very successful in reducing people's exposure to secondhand smoke at the University of Kentucky. When UK's employees and students were asked if they were thinking about quitting in the future, 63.4 percent of employees that smoke and 68.4 percent of students that smoke responded "yes." For more information about the Fall 2009 survey, click here (DOC).

Several training sessions are being offered to both students and employees.

Click here (PDF) for the tobacco-free brochure.

More information about managing your symptoms while on UK's campus can be found here (DOC).

How We Can Help You Quit or Manage Your Symptoms

UK supports its employees and students who want to quit using tobacco products by offering individual and group tobacco treatment programs at no cost for one series of classes - including nicotine replacement products (typically the patch). This offer is for students and their spouses, and employees and their spouses or sponsored dependents.

For employees and students who do not want to quit but need help to feel more comfortable at work or during class, nicotine replacement gum may be purchased in campus convenience stores, K-Lair Grill, gift shops at UK Chandler and Good Samaritan hospitals, Kentucky Clinic Pharmacy, or University Health Service Pharmacy. These locations, except for the hospital gifts shops, also carry the nicotine patch. Some products are significantly less expensive than those found in commercial pharmacies. Other options may be available to you under your health benefits program. Visit the following locations for more information:

  • Kentucky Clinic Pharmacy - 740 S. Limestone, J-134 Kentucky Clinic – on the first floor of the Kentucky Clinic facility at the Limestone entrance
  • University Health Service Pharmacy - 830 S. Limestone – on the first floor of the University Health Service Building (across the street from Speedway®)
  • UK Chandler Hospital Gift Shop - 800 Rose Street – 1st floor off the main lobby
  • UK Good Samaritan Hospital Gift Shop - 310 S. Limestone – lower level
  • UK Convenience Stores:
    • Blazer Xpress – Located on North Campus next to Blazer Café, on the corner of Martin Luther King and Keeneland Dr.
    • Corner Store – Located on South Campus next to Commons Market in the Kirwan/Blanding Complex
    • Quick Stop – Located in the Student Center just inside the bridge entrance across from Starbucks®
  • K-Lair Grill – Located next to Parking Structure #2 on Hill top Avenue

Click here for information about Nicotine Replacement Therapy.

Resources for UK Students and Their Spouses

The following is a full list of resources available to employees, students, and the general public to help stop using tobacco or manage cravings if you choose to do so:

** Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT patches and/or gum) will be provided at NO COST to those students and their spouses, who are actively participating in one of the denoted programs.

  • University Health Service ** - Individual cessation counseling and group classes are available to help students be successful in quitting tobacco. We can help you explore options, including medications and behavior changes, and pick strategies that work for you! Services are offered to part-time and full-time UK students who have paid their health fee.  UK undergraduate and graduate level students and their spouses, who are covered by Academic Health Plans student health insurance (administered by Humana), are also eligible for these services and may receive Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT patches and/or gum) at NO COST. Call (859) 323-APPT (2778) or email joanne.brown@uky.edu or fadyia.lowe@uky.edu.
  • UK Counseling Center ** - Various counseling formats are offered to help with tobacco cessation, reducing tobacco use, and managing stress and cravings. Students must be enrolled at UK for at least 6 credit hours to be eligible for services and to receive NRT (patches and/or gum) at NO COST. (859) 257-8701.

Off Campus Resources

  • Tobacco Free U - Offers college students free on-line information, guides, and resources related to tobacco and quitting tobacco use.
  • My Last Dip - MyLastDip is a free Web-based intervention that is designed to help young smokeless tobacco users quit.
  • Kill the Can - This website offers free resources and tools to help dip, snuff, and chewing tobacco users quit. Along with useful information, it offers a support forum and a live quit chat room.
  • Become an Ex - The EX plan teaches you how to re-learn life without cigarettes in 3 steps - all geared to help make the seemingly impossible possible.
  • Freedom from Smoking® Online Program - On-line program from the American Lung Association consisting of seven modules, each containing four lessons, to assist you in quitting tobacco. Participants are also encouraged to participate in message boards to give and receive support as they go through the quit process.

Resources for UK Faculty and Staff and Their Spouses or Sponsored Dependents

** Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT patches and/or gum) will be provided at NO COST to UK Faculty and Staff and their Spouses or Sponsored Dependents, who are actively participating in one of the denoted programs.

  • UK Health & Wellness Tobacco Cessation - UK Health & Wellness offers free Tobacco Cessation Coaching via a Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist to help YOU successfully quit tobacco. Free Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) is available to eligible participants enrolled in this program.
    You will work with your coach to:
    · Establish a support system for tobacco cessation, identify behaviors that inhibit tobacco cessation, and create a plan to quit.
    · Get information and support on how to quit and stay quit.
    · Get free nicotine replacement patches, gum, and lozenges.
    · Explore options, including medications and behavior changes, and pick strategies that work for you!
    Regular employees (0.5 - 1.0 full-time equivalency) and their spouses/sponsored dependents may participate. UK retirees and their spouses/sponsored dependents may also participate.
    What's the next step?
    Click here to schedule an appointment with a Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist.
  • UK Tobacco Treatment Specialist - BeQUIT Tobacco Cessation** - Call (859) 323-4222 or audrey.darville@uky.edu. A series of group classes are being offered in the Health Information Library at Chandler Medical Center and other locations as needed. Contact Audrey Darville, ARNP, CTTS at 323-4222 to register. Individual counseling sessions to help you quit all forms of tobacco use are available through the Internal Medicine Clinic. Call 323-4222 or 323-0303 to schedule an appointment. A series of group classes are offered based on participant interest in the Health Information Library at Chandler Medical Center and other locations as needed.
  • UK Work + Life Connections - Located at 155 Seaton Center. Call (859) 257-9433. This office offers assessments, brief counseling, education and referral to UK employees.  Visits are limited to 5 times per year.
  • UK Prescription Benefit Coverage of Smoking Cessation Call (859) 323-1493 for more information.
  • Fayette County Health Department Adult and Youth Tobacco Cessation Programs – Call (859) 288-2327 for more information.
  • Kentucky Cancer Program: Cooper/Clayton Method to Stop Smoking - An evidence-based 13-week program led by trained facilitators that combines the use of nicotine replacement products with group support. Call 1-866-495-9838 for more information.
  • Become an Ex - The EX plan teaches you how to re-learn life without cigarettes in 3 steps - all geared to help make the seemingly impossible possible.

Off Campus Resources Available for the General Public

  • Kentucky's Tobacco QuitLine –Call 1-800-Quit Now (1-800-784-8669) for one-on-one counseling from 8 a.m. -1 a.m. (EST) Monday though Sunday.  24 hour voice mail with recorded QuitFacts available after hours.
  • Kentucky Clinic Pharmacy - (click "Ask a Pharmacist") - Counseling, Nicotine Replacement Therapy, Educational Materials (859) 323-5855
  • Lexington-Fayette County Health Department: Adult and Youth Tobacco Cessation Programs- (859) 288-2327
  • National Cancer Institute's Quitline - Tobacco counseling in English and Spanish. 1-877-44U-QUIT
  • Kentucky Cancer Program: Cooper/Clayton Method to Stop Smoking - Available in 120 Kentucky counties. Toll free 1-866-495-9888
  • MedlinePlus® - Tobacco Cessation References.
  • Become an Ex - The EX plan teaches you how to re-learn life without cigarettes in 3 steps - all geared to help make the seemingly impossible possible.
  • Freedom from Smoking® Online Program - On-line program from the American Lung Association consisting of seven modules, each containing four lessons, to assist you in quitting tobacco. Participants are also encouraged to participate in message boards to give and receive support as they go through the quit process.
  • My Last Dip - MyLastDip is a free Web-based intervention that is designed to help young smokeless tobacco users quit.
  • Kill the Can - This website offers free resources and tools to help dip, snuff, and chewing tobacco users quit. Along with useful information, it offers a support forum and a live quit chat room.
  • GETQUIT Support Plan - Information sponsored by the Pfizer describing the drug Chantix™ and a free support program including a step-by-step guide. www.chantix.com and www.get-quit.com 1-877-CHANTIX

Information on Secondhand Smoke

UK HealthCare has launched a five year campaign to educate Kentuckians about the dangers of secondhand smoke. To learn more information about the campaign and secondhand smoke visit http://ukhealthcare.uky.edu/secondhandsmoke/ or http://www.takeitoutside.org.

For more information about secondhand smoke and smoke-free policy, contact the Kentucky Center for Smoke-free Policy at the UK College of Nursing, http://www.kcsp.uky.edu.

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