It’s not unusual for colleges and universities to be known as a “dry campus”, meaning no alcoholic beverages are allowed on school grounds even if to be consumed at another location. This rule applies to underage students, obviously, but also includes staff and students of legal drinking age. Missouri Western State University is now taking it one step further and banning all tobacco products by fall quarter, 2013.
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services attributes more than 10,000 deaths a year to tobacco-related illnesses and says that tobacco use is a continuing problem in the state. Almost a quarter of Missouri’s population uses tobacco and roughly one-fifth start in high school. The percentage of women who smoke during pregnancy is also among the highest in the nation.
Thanks in part to organizations such as CASE (Campus-Community Alliances for Smoke-Free Environment and STAND (Students Together Addressing Nicotine Dependence), students are becoming more informed about the risks of tobacco products and the effects of secondhand smoke.
“Missouri Western wants to maintain a safe and healthy environment for its students, employees and visitors,” said Sally Sanders, director of human resources. “Tobacco use is not compatible with that goal. Research is clear that smoking, breathing secondhand smoke and the use of smokeless tobacco result in a significant health hazard. Missouri Western is pleased to be a community leader in the effort to provide a healthy, tobacco-free environment.”
The newly drafted policy will prohibit all nicotine delivery methods including tobacco, smokeless tobacco and chewing tobacco. It is uncertain if nicotine patches will be allowed, but by current wording, it would be considered a nicotine delivery device and therefore prohibited.
A Tobacco Policy Task Committee will be formed made up of faculty, students and administrators to determine the best way to implement the policy. It is believed that campus police and security won’t be used to enforce tobacco policy as most student will comply voluntarily. Violations will more than likely result in counseling, community/campus service and academic probation.
MWSU will be joining the ranks of 500+ schools and universities who have become a no-smoking environment. Western will provide classes around campus to help current smokers deal with their nicotine dependence.