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  3. Smoke- & Tobacco-Free Campus

Smoke- & Tobacco-Free Campus

Effective Jan. 1, 2019, Whitworth University is a 100 percent smoke- and tobacco-free campus.

Policy

Policy to Prohibit Smoking and the Use of Other Tobacco Products on the Campuses of Whitworth University

Because we recognize the hazards caused by exposure to environmental tobacco smoke as mentioned in the 2010 and 2014 U.S. surgeon general’s reports, as well as the life-threatening diseases linked to the use of all forms of tobacco and secondhand smoke, it shall be the policy of Whitworth University, effective Jan. 1, 2019, to provide a smoke- and tobacco-free environment for all students, employees and visitors. This policy covers the smoking of any tobacco product and the use of oral tobacco products. The Whitworth University Student Health Center and the Health Education Action Team, in collaboration with other university officials, will develop and maintain a plan for communicating the policy to their constituents including, but not limited to, the following:

  • Students
  • Employees
  • Guests
  • Contractors
  • Vendors
  • Trustees

Whitworth University is committed to providing its students, staff and faculty a safe and healthy working and learning environment. Therefore, beginning Jan. 1, 2019, Whitworth University will implement the following policy:

  1. Smoking and use of other tobacco products are prohibited on university premises. This applies to students, staff, faculty and visitors.
  2. Definitions - For the purposes of this policy, these terms are defined as but not limited to:
    1. Tobacco product: any type of product containing, made or derived from tobacco that is intended for human consumption.
      1. Includes cigarettes, cigars, pipes, hookah, vaporizers, all forms of smokeless tobacco, electronic cigarettes, clove cigarettes and other alternative products.
      2. Does not include nicotine-replacement products designed to aid in smoking cessation and used for that purpose.
    2. Tobacco use: all forms of consumption, whether chewed, smoked, absorbed, dissolved, inhaled, snorted, sniffed or ingested by any other means.
  3. Premises - The policy will be enforced:
    1. In all campus buildings, facilities, and property owned, leased or operated by Whitworth University.
    2. This includes outside areas on campus grounds and facilities or vehicles that are the property of the university.
      1. Occupants of personal vehicles on property owned, leased or operated by Whitworth University are also subject to this policy.
      2. Athletic facilities owned or used by Whitworth University are included, and this policy will be enforced at all athletic events.
      3. This policy will be enforced at all lectures, conferences, meetings and social/cultural events held on university property or campus grounds.
    3. Designated smoking areas will not be provided.
      1. Smoking waste management products such as ashtrays and outdoor smoking receptacles shall be removed. 
  4. Compliance
    1. For students:
      1. Consequences for students engaging in prohibited behavior will be in accordance with the institution’s student conduct policies. Students who violate the tobacco-use policy will be processed through established disciplinary protocol. If students have acquired an addiction to tobacco/nicotine, they may contact the student health center for smoking cessation resources.
    2. For faculty, staff and visitors:
      1. Consequences for employees who violate the tobacco-use policy will be in accordance with personnel policies of Whitworth University. If employees have acquired an addiction to tobacco/nicotine, they may contact human resources for smoking cessation resources.
      2. Visitors using tobacco products will be asked to refrain while on Whitworth University’s property or leave the premises. University security officers may be contacted to escort the person off the premises.

History

This student-led initiative formally began in the spring of 2017. A group of peer-health educators known as the Health Education Action Team (HEAT) began educational programming in fall of 2017 about tobacco-related topics. Events were open to Whitworth students, staff and faculty.

In October 2017, HEAT hosted a Holy Smokes event where panelists spoke about hookah (waterpipe) tobacco addiction and social issues that pertain to smoking. The film Black Lives Black Lungs was screened.

The Great American Smokeout was hosted by HEAT in November 2017. Special guest City Council President Ben Stuckart shared his personal quit story. Quit kits were distributed, which were provided by the Spokane Regional Health District. Booths included Lee Salkins (counselor in Spokane community), Whitworth Human Resource Services, Whitworth Student Health Center and HEAT.

A survey was administered to students (including undergraduate, international, continuing studies and graduate studies) in November 2017 to evaluate attitudes, behaviors and opinions regarding tobacco use and policy.

In December 2017, a campus observation was completed by HEAT to assess the presence of smoking, tobacco use and vaping on campus, including documentation of tobacco-related waste.

In 2017 and 2018, HEAT provided educational information about the dangers of smoking, vaping and tobacco use via social media and marketing strategies across campus.

A survey was administered to staff and faculty in February 2018 to evaluate attitudes, behaviors and opinions regarding tobacco use and policy.

A campus smoke- and tobacco-free task force was assembled in February 2018, which included diverse representation of students, staff and faculty. The first meeting was convened in February 2018, with subsequent meetings in March, April and May. The initiative was discussed and a smoke- and tobacco-free policy was drafted.

In September 2018, the smoke- and tobacco-free task force reconvened to discuss next steps. A series of four town hall meetings were held in October 2018 and offered to students, staff and faculty as an opportunity to review the initiative’s timeline and the proposed policy draft. Opportunities were provided for participants to share feedback.

In December 2018, Whitworth University announced they would become a smoke- and tobacco-free campus effective Jan. 1, 2019.

HEAT would like to thank the following organizations for their support: American Cancer Society, American Lung Association and Spokane Regional Health District.

Rationale

  • Exposure to tobacco smoke, even an occasional cigarette or secondhand smoke, is harmful.
  • As of April 2021, 2,537 campuses nationwide are already 100 percent smoke free.
    • 2,102 campuses are also 100 percent tobacco-free.
  • Ninety-nine percent of people who begin smoking do so by age 26.

Sources:

American Nonsmokers' Rights Foundation | No-Smoke.org
Surgeon General, 2020, Smoking Cessation: A Report of the Surgeon General (hhs.gov)

Cessation Support & Resources

Cessation resources and support are available for those who would like to quit:

  1. Health center-eligible students can call 509.777.3259 during regular business hours to schedule an appointment.
    1. Tobacco cessation visits with registered nurse or advanced registered nurse practitioner; included under student health and wellness fee.
    2. Nicotine replacement therapy recommendations or prescription tobacco cessation medication at the discretion of advanced registered nurse practitioner; additional cost to student.
    3. Private health insurance cessation benefits, as applicable; cost varies.
    4. Community and national quit resources; cost varies.
  2. Continuing studies students can access the following:
    1. Private health insurance cessation benefits, as applicable; cost varies.
    2. Community and national quit resources; cost varies.
  3. Graduate students can access the following:
    1. Private health insurance cessation benefits, as applicable; cost varies.
    2. Community and national quit resources; cost varies.
  4. Faculty & staff can contact human resources at 509.777.4872 to review cessation options available to them.
    1. Private health insurance cessation benefits, as applicable; cost varies.
    2. Community and national quit resources; cost varies.
  5. Whitworth-affiliated Sodexo employees can call 509.777.4588 to discuss cessation options with a manager.
    1. Private health insurance cessation benefits, as applicable; cost varies.
    2. Community and national quit resources; cost varies.

Online Resources

srhd.org/media/documents/CessationSheet.pdf

www.cancer.org/healthy/stay-away-from-tobacco.html

www.lung.org/stop-smoking/

How to Quit | Smoking & Tobacco Use | CDC

smokefree.gov