Transition to a Smoke-free Campus - Essay Example

Transition to a smoke-free campus is to be completed Introduction Tobacco use accounts for at least 30 percent of the cancer related death and more than 80 percent of the lung cancer deaths in the country (York 2012). Secondhand smoking also causes an estimated 46,000 deaths annually from the heart disease. Tobacco smoking is harmful to health and is associated with extreme nicotine addiction. In this case, several institutions have implemented smoke-free policies in order to safeguard the health and well-being of the students, faculty staff and visitors to the institutions (York 2012). Chapter 9, Section 36 of the UTSA handbook on the operating procedures, the use of all tobacco products is banned within the University property and smoking has been limited to designated areas until the end of the transition period of one year that ends on May 31, 2004 (UTSA 2014). The ban on tobacco within the University began as early as August 2012 when UTSA prohibited smoking in areas adjacent to Cancer Prevention Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) funded research activities. UTSA has been proposing implementing a smoke-free campus for numerous years as the staff Council and faculty members requested the University President to implement further smoke-free policies that will safeguard the health and wellbeing of the students, faculty staff and visitors (UTSA 2014). The decision was motivated by the need to safeguard the health of University community and ensure high funding for cancer related research activities. University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) is currently transiting to tobacco free campus and posters and banners have been placed in several campuses with smoking only allowed in specified surface parking lots. During the transition period from June 1, 2013 to May 31, 2014, smoking will be restricted to walkways and sideways and surface parking lots. However, smoking tobacco is currently prohibited in Ford Ave Lot, Laurel Village Main Office Lot on Main Campus, Ximenes Ave Lot and Monterey parking lot that is on the Downtown Campus since the CPRIT funded cancer prevention and research projects are located in those areas. The smoking is also not allowed in the UTSA parking garages. During the transition period, the University has allowed smoking in personal vehicles in the unrestricted parking lots and all people using tobacco products are required by the University policies to dispose the waste in the appropriate receptacles (UTSA 2014). The initial reactions towards the policy among non-smoking faculty staff and students were positive. The right to clean and health environment for all students outweighs the right to few students to smoke. The students agree that smoke-free environment provides a conducive learning environment that is stress free. Accordingly, other colleges and University campuses in San Antonio have become smoke-free campuses. The policy controls smoking all forms of tobacco products including cigars, pipes, kreteks, chewing tobacco and normal cigarettes. At the same time, the University has embarked on aggressive strategy of creating awareness through placing signs at major building entrances, vehicular and pedestrian routes with the message “Tobacco-free campus”. However, regardless of the presence of the signs, all members of the University community are expected to be aware that the policy applies to all the University property even without a sign or notice (UTSA 2014). UTSA recognizes its responsibility in promoting the health and safety of faculty staff, students and visitors and that is the reason tobacco related products and smoking in the campus will be totally eliminated in June 1, 2014. Currently, the policy prohibits all guests and residents from smoking in any building within the campus, corridors, city centers or stairwells. The currently policy requires any smoking to occur at least 25 feet away from all outside entrances that lead to any building in the campus (UTSA 2014). The University aims at ensuring all University-Owned and leased property is smoke-free. In the Downtown campus, smoking will be prohibited in the university-controlled sidewalks and city streets. According to the University’s cancer research, the prohibition of smoking in the institution will support the mission of the research institution since it will be able to receive donor funding on cancer prevention and research projects. In this case, the policy has complied with Texas Administration Code Title 25 Health Services, Part 11, Chapter 703 that outlines the procedure of qualifying for cancer prevention and research grants (UTSA 2014). UTSA smoke-free policy has provided for exceptions that include instances where artists or actors may require smoking as part of the artistic production, but this must be authorized by the University (UTSA 2014). Individuals participating in approved research activities can be allowed to smoke, but they must seek the approval of the vice president in-charge of research. In addition, special circumstance such as educational or clinical purposes will have to seek approval of the appropriate vice president such as the Office of environmental health before such individuals can be allowed to smoke within the University campuses (UTSA 2014). All members of the University community including visitors and vendors have an obligation to comply with the policy. UTSA has established the Office of Institutional Compliance and Risk Services that will be tasked with reviewing all concerning regarding noncompliance and complaints for breach of the policy (UTSA 2014). There are several disciplinary measures or penalties that are available if someone is caught smoking tobacco within the University property. According to Texas penal code Section 48.01 on smoking tobacco, a person commits an offense if he is caught burning tobacco product in a public facility such as library and a person who commits such an offense knowingly is guilty of Class A misdemeanor offense (York 2012). The University expects students and employees to comply with the policy as it supports other university initiatives such as research activities. Failure to adhere with the policy amounts to violating the university policies and the officials are empowered to take disciplinary action in accordance with faculty, staff or student code of conduct guidelines. The violation can lead to dismissal from the university, suspension or even warnings. The behavioral concerns involving staff, contractors, and visitors will be reports to the Audit, Compliance and Risk Services offices while those involving students will be reported to the Student conduct and community standards for appropriate action (UTSA 2014). Other Universities have implemented smoke-free policies in their institutions. In 2003, there were more than 600 university and college campuses across the country that had impled tobacco-free or smoke-free policy in their campus facilities. Examples of these institutions include Texas State University, Austin community college and San Antonio Aloma colleges. For instance, Texas State University managed to transit to smoke-free campus in the fall of 2011. Texas State University smoke-free campus policy has outlined that smoking and exposure to the second-hand smoking presents health risk (Texas State University 2014). The policy extends to the recreation facilities, golf course and Sewell Park. Texas State University went further to provide smoking cessation assistance programs. The University has conducted surveys that indicated 67 percent of the students preferred a smoke-free campus (Texas State University 2014). Texas State University smoke-free policy includes both San Marcos and Round Rock campuses and extends to buildings, leased or owned vehicles. The policy also applies to recreational facilities and outdoor stadia (Texas State University 2014). According to American College Health Association, universities and colleges should develop worded tobacco policy that reflects the best practices in cessation, control and prevention of tobacco smoking. The institutions must provide assistance to smoking-students through tobacco cessation programs and enforce the policy in order to attain a health campus environment that supports learning (York 2012). Conclusion As of June 1, 2004, UTSA will officially become a smoke-free campus and use of tobacco will be prohibited in all University property including the leased property. This will include the green space, personal vehicles, buildings, sidewalks and any housing unit within that forms part of the University property. UTSA should transit to tobacco-free and smoke-free campus in all University property in order to promote the health of the students, visitors, university community and contractors and also create an enabling environment that is good for learning. Works Cited: Texas State University. (2014). “Tobacco-free campus”, Accessed on 28th January, 2014. (Web:) http://www.healthcenter.txstate.edu/SERVICES/tobacco-free. University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). (2014). “UTSA begins transition to tobacco-free and smoke-free campus”, Accessed on 28th January, 2014 (Web). http://utsa.edu/today/2013/05/tobaccofree2.html. York, N.L. Tobacco control, and issue of nursing clinics. New York: Elsevier Health Sciences. 2012. Read More