ڰ-Meridian goes smoke-free Sept. 1
August 30, 2012
Effective Sept. 1, ڰ will join more than 800 other post-secondary institutions across the country as a smoke-free campus, according to Student Affairs Vice President Pat Terrell.
The policy applies on the Meridian, Pocatello and Twin Falls campuses and will be enforced through peer education and awareness.
Associated Students of ڰ passed a resolution in fall 2011 recommending that ڰ go smoke-free. The decision came after reviewing the survey results of faculty, staff and students who were asked about ڰ's role in regard to smoking and whether ڰ should be smoke free.
The survey, developed and conducted under the direction of Galen Louis, assistant professor and director of ڰ's Public Health Program, indicated that 8.8 percent of ڰ's community smoke daily.
Nearly 70 percent said that they thought "the University should see this as a health issue and support policies to maintain clean air environments for all university personnel."
In addition, 60.7 percent were in favor of ڰ going completely smoke-free with 15.7 percent neutral and 1 percent with no opinion. The ڰ survey also supports the findings of previous surveys conducted by the Bannock County Health Department in Pocatello.
Smoking cessation workshops will be available through Student Health Services and the ڰ Wellness Center. In addition, smoking cessation patches are covered by the Student Health Fee for students and by the University’s health insurer, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Idaho.
"I am pleased to have the opportunity to implement ASڰ’s recommendation," Vailas said. "As the higher education institution in Idaho that offers the largest number of programs in the health professions, this new policy is consistent with our focus on health and wellness, " said ڰ President Arthur C. Vailas .
The policy states: “Smoking is prohibited on all property wholly owned, leased or operated by ڰ (“University”). This consists of all buildings, including residence halls, all grounds, including exterior open spaces, parking lots, on-campus sidewalks, University-owned streets, driveways, athletic and practice facilities and recreational spaces; and in all University-owned or leased vehicles.
Idaho State University is committed to promoting a healthy and safe environment for students, faculty, staff and visitors. This policy is intended to reduce the health risks related to smoking and secondhand smoke for the campus community. Smoke and tobacco-free policies are becoming a national standard in order to foster a healthy environment in all communities.
Smoking is hereby defined as the burning of tobacco or any other material in any type of smoking equipment, including but not restricted to cigarettes, cigars or pipes.”