Wayne State University To Go Completely Smoke, Tobacco Free In August
DETROIT (WWJ) - Make no butts about it, Wayne State University is about to have a zero tolerance policy when it comes to smoking or using other tobacco products on campus.
The university announced Friday morning that all of its main campus and extension centers will be smoke- and tobacco-free, effective Aug. 19, 2015. The new policy will apply to all employees, students, contractors and visitors.
The university's current policy permits tobacco use on campus, but restricts it within 25 feet of any building. With the change, Wayne State joins hundreds of institutions across the country that have adopted smoke- and tobacco-free policies for indoor and outdoor spaces.
"Wayne State is committed to the health and well-being of students, faculty, staff, alumni and visitors. Going smoke- and tobacco-free is a logical step toward ensuring a healthy, clean and welcoming campus," WSU President M. Roy Wilson said in a statement. "As the campus prepares for this transition, we will provide numerous cessation resources for those who want help quitting."
At the encouragement of the study body, a presidential task force was established in 2014 to examine whether to implement a smoke-free campus policy. Campus survey results indicated that the majority of all groups felt WSU would be more appealing if it were to go smoke-free.
According to the new policy, smoking (including e-cigarettes) and the use of all tobacco products is prohibited within and outside of all buildings or structures owned, leased, rented or operated by WSU. While the university does not provide designated smoking areas, smoking and tobacco use is permitted in privately owned vehicles.
The WSU School of Medicine has been completely smoke-free since July 2008.
For more information on WSU's policy and cessation resources, visit wayne.edu/smoke-free.