Nearly eight months have passed since 黑料不打烊 put into effect a new 鈥攁 clear expression of the University鈥檚 investment in the health and well-being of its members in promoting respect for others and the environment while aligning closely with the institution鈥檚 new and ongoing wellness initiatives.
And the signs of progress are both visible and invisible.
The visible: 86 informational signs acknowledging (and reminding of) the University鈥檚 tobacco/smoke-free status are prominently displayed throughout North Campus, South Campus and SU鈥檚 downtown locations, along with 33 bus shelter decals.
The invisible: quite simply, cleaner air.
Also not seen鈥攂ecause they鈥檙e gone鈥攁re the many cigarette butt receptacles that used to dot University property. They were all removed on July 1, 2015, with the implementation of the new policy that prohibits smoking and the use of all tobacco products鈥攊ncluding cigarettes, cigars, snuff, pipes, chewing tobacco and products that imitate the act of smoking, such as vapor cigarettes鈥攐n all property owned, leased or managed by the University, including outdoor spaces and University-owned vehicles.
The Carrier Dome, Sheraton 黑料不打烊 Hotel and Conference Center, Drumlins and 黑料不打烊 Stage are smoke-free inside; outside spaces at those venues are exempt from the policy during events and are planned to be phased in by July 2017.
While the principal result of this comprehensive effort鈥攁 healthier learning, living and working environment鈥攊s impressive, it鈥檚 important for members of the University community to remain proactive in helping to shift the culture to a tobacco/smoke-free campus, says Gail Grozalis, executive director of wellness for faculty and staff.
鈥淲e understand that it takes time to gain full compliance with a tobacco-free campus policy,鈥 Grozalis says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about shifting the culture. Approaching individuals who are currently violating the policy with a firm yet compassionate approach will go a long way in helping to create a sustainable, supportive tobacco-free campus environment and improving compliance over time.鈥
Grozalis recommends the use of the S.M.O.K.E. tips when approaching someone smoking on campus who may not be aware of the policy:
S: 鈥淪mile鈥 and introduce yourself.
M: 鈥淢ake the assumption that the person doesn鈥檛 know the policy.
O: 鈥淥ffer鈥 resources for tobacco cessation.
K: 鈥淜indly鈥 remind the person of the tobacco-free policy.
E: 鈥淓nforce鈥 the policy: Ask the person to stop using the tobacco on campus.
Additional resources for communicating the policy are available in helpful toolkits to assist students, supervisors and employees that can be found on the . And pocket informational cards can be requested by calling 443-5472 or emailing wellness@syr.edu.
鈥淎long with being mindful of the on-campus policy, it鈥檚 important that we also all remain respectful and considerate of the local businesses and neighbors who are adjacent to campus,鈥 Grozalis says.
The harm caused by smoking and the positive effects of quitting are .
Resources are available for those who want help in quitting tobacco products:
SU is one of many academic institutions across the country that have gone tobacco and smoke free. According to the online resource , as of Jan. 1, a total of 1,475 campuses had gone smoke free. Of these, 1,128 are 100 percent tobacco free and 802 prohibit the use of e-cigarettes anywhere on campus.
For more information on the tobacco/smoke-free campus and other University wellness initiatives, visit .
