FNU TOBACCO-FREE CAMPUS FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What does tobacco-free mean?
The tobacco-free policy prohibits smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including cigarettes, chew, cigars, e-cigarettes and other tobacco and/or non-nicotine vaping products) on the Frontier Nursing University Campus.
Who is covered by the tobacco- free policy?
The tobacco-free policy applies to anyone on the Frontier Nursing University Campus including staff, faculty, students, vendors, and visitors.
Why did FNU go tobacco-free?
The University is committed to the health and well-being of everyone on campus. The tobacco-free policy was adopted based on the wealth of research documenting the health risks associated with tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke, the assessments of regional and national trends, and input from the campus community. Specific benefits to our community include:
Protects people from unwanted and involuntary exposure to tobacco and passive smoke. Multiple studies affirm that there are no safe levels of exposure to secondhand smoke, including outdoor smoke.
Creates a supportive environment for those who are trying to reduce or quit tobacco use.
Creates a cleaner living, learning, and working environment. Cigarette butts are the most common type of litter. Reducing cigarette butt litter will beautify our campus and lower clean-up costs.
Protects the environment from tobacco–related litter. Discarded cigarette butts contain all the carcinogens and nicotine that make tobacco use the leading cause of preventable death worldwide, yet trillions of butts are littered into the environment annually. Cigarette butts take years to decompose, increasing the toxicity of aquatic ecosystems, and potentially leaching into soil and the water supply. Cigarette butts are also dangerous when consumed by wildlife, pets, or young children.
Isn’t tobacco-use a personal right?
Tobacco use is a legal product for adults. However, the University owns the campus property, and can establish policies that protect the health of all community members. A tobacco-free policy does not prohibit tobacco use; it merely establishes where use can occur.
The new policy supports the right of all people on the campus to breathe smoke-free air. The simple reason for our policy is respect for each other and the environment. Secondhand smoke is a Class A carcinogen. There is no safe exposure level to secondhand smoke – even outside. We hope that those who choose to continue smoking will respect our smoke-free environment out of concern for their fellow campus community members.
Will I be fired if I don’t quit using tobacco products?
You will not be fired for continuing to use tobacco products off campus. However, all staff, faculty, students, vendors, and visitors are expected to comply with the policy by not using tobacco products on campus property.
Employee failure to comply with the tobacco use policy will invoke disciplinary action utilizing the Progressive Improvement Policy as outlined in the employee handbook.
Student failure to comply with the tobacco use policy will invoke disciplinary action. The first offense will result in a verbal and written warning and further explanation of the policy by the Administrative person on campus. A second offense may result in a request to leave the property. Other disciplinary actions will be outlined according to the performance plan policy as outlined in the University catalog.
How is this policy enforced?
Creating a supportive, positive, and healthy tobacco-free environment for the entire campus is a shared responsibility. We encourage the entire community to promote compliance with the policy. Repeated violations of this policy should be reported to your supervisor, just as you would report violations of other policies.
Why did FNU go tobacco-free?
Because of the negative health and environmental impacts of all tobacco products, the University adopted a tobacco-free, rather than just a smoke-free policy. In 2009, the American College Health Association adopted a no tobacco use policy and encourages and supports colleges and universities to achieve a 100% indoor and outdoor campus-wide tobacco-free environment.
Why are electronic cigarettes prohibited?
E-cigarettes are designed to deliver high amounts of nicotine to the user—more than two times the amount approved by the FDA for smoking cessation aids. Little is known about the long-term health effects of e-cigarettes, but many ingredients are known to cause lung and cardiac inflammation, cancer, and cell damage.
E-cigarettes emit a vapor that contains tobacco byproducts. It is widely believed that this vapor is dangerous; the extent of the risk is unknown at this time. Preliminary analyses on e-cigarettes have found that the cartridges contain diethylene glycol, a chemical used in antifreeze that is toxic to humans, and carcinogens, including nitrosamines.
Most public health agencies discourage the use of e-cigarettes including:
- American Heart Association
- American Lung Association
- US Food and Drug Administration
- World Health Association
- American College Health Association
- Cancer Action Network
- Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids
Do tobacco-free policies change behavior?
Tobacco-free campus policies are proven to decrease current smoking prevalence in campus populations, decrease the amount of cigarettes used by those who continue to smoke, decrease campus populations’ acceptance of peer smoking, change social norms around tobacco use, and increase favorable attitudes towards regulation of tobacco.
Do other schools have similar campus policies?
In 2009, the American College Health Association adopted a no tobacco use policy and encourages and supports colleges and universities to achieve a 100% indoor and outdoor campus-wide tobacco-free environment. As of April of 2018 there are more than a thousand campuses across the country who have made the choice to go tobacco-free. This number continues to grow.
What areas of campus will the tobacco-free policy cover?
- The tobacco-free campus policy covers all property, buildings, and facilities of the Frontier Nursing University Versailles Campus.
Can people smoke in their own vehicles within the tobacco-free Campus?
Smoking in private vehicles parked on campus property is banned under the policy. People cannot smoke in their cars while parked on campus owned streets or in campus parking lots or garages.
Smoking in university vehicles has always been prohibited, and remains so under the current policy.
What is the campus doing for students and employees who want to quit using tobacco products?
FNU has an agreement with our health insurance carrier that offers smoking cessation aids and support. For more information about resources available through your health insurance plan, please see you plan resources or contact LaToshia Daniel (latoshia.daniel@frontier.edu)
I have ideas, questions, or concerns. Who should I contact?
For questions regarding the Tobacco-Free Policy and enforcement contact your supervisor.
For questions regarding resources available through University provided insurance for smoking cessation please contact LaToshia Daniel (latoshia.daniel@frontier.edu)
For questions regarding tobacco use and cessation please contact Julie Daniels (julie.daniels@frontier.edu)
