Tobacco-free policy work will not eclipse attention to other health issues. AU works on a variety of health and safety issues affecting students, faculty and staff.

Tobacco use poses a health crisis that largely has been ignored in the U.S. because of aggressive lobbying by the tobacco industry. Tobacco-related death is the most preventable cause of mortality. In the U.S. each year, more than 400,000 people die from tobacco-related causes. Tobacco use accounts for more annual deaths than suicide, murder, HIV/AIDS, alcohol use, illegal drug use and motor vehicle injuries combined. Tobacco use and secondhand smoke are major health issues and can be influenced directly through policies that promote tobacco-free environments. Unlike many other health issues, one person’s choice to use tobacco directly affects the health of others on a daily basis.

Background: Although some people believe tobacco use is a “right” ,this is not true. Laws regarding tobacco involve the age at which it is legal to “purchase and posess” tobacco. Restrictions on where tobacco can be used have been in place for many years.

Answer: We understand that some feel they have a right to use tobacco and that our policy infringes on that right. The truth is that UNK is well within its rights to prohibit activities that have an adverse effect. If a behavior were identified that exposed others and the environment to harm as tobacco use does, we would feel it our responsibility to prohibit that behavior.

Background: We have learned the most effective predicate for a tobacco-free or smoke-free campus policy is “out of respect for others and the environment.” This rationale shifts the focus from the person’s behavior to the impact of the behavior on others and the environment. Since smoking and chewing have adverse effects on others and the environment, the policy is essential to reflect the caring culture UNK wants to cultivate for all who come in contact with the organization.

Answer: We prohibit all uses of tobacco because the US Surgeon General has determined “there is no safe level of exposure” to secondhand smoke AND according to the World Health Organization, the greatest source of litter on the planet is tobacco refuse. Chewing produces expectorant and waste that is discarded on our property. Another important factor in our policy is that by prohibiting all tobacco use, we are taking the strongest stand against tobacco use possible. This in turn will have an impact on tobacco use, whether through smoking or chewing. By adopting this policy we will help many of our employees and students who want to quit their dependency on tobacco to do so. This in turn will improve the health and well being of those employees and student population.

Using tobacco is a personal choice, not a constitutional right. There is no constitutional right to smoke. A tobacco-free policy does not take away an individual’s right to choose to use tobacco; it does limit where a person may choose to use it. A tobacco-free policy respects an individual’s right to choose to use tobacco off-campus.

Individuals who smoke do represent a minority group in terms of numbers. Smokers are not a majority of the United States population or of any United States college campus population. However, smokers are not a category of people protected under the Equal Protection Clause of the Constitution. Likewise, smoking is not protected under the Due Process Clause of the Constitution. Suggesting that individuals who make a choice to smoke are an oppressed minority group is not only an uninformed argument, but it can be offensive to truly oppressed, underrepresented and underserved groups. Tobacco use is a choice.

Using tobacco, in any form, is a personal choice. A tobacco-free policy does not eliminate a person’s choice to use tobacco products; it would simply prohibit the use of these products on AU’s campus where they negatively affect members of the campus community.

Answer: UNK would like to balance the “rights” of the person using tobacco with the rights of the person who doesn’t want to be exposed to the effects of tobacco use. We have carefully considered the issues, including the impact on health and our environment. When you consider tobacco users are outnumbered by non-users by around 4 to 1, the history of many tobacco users discarding their tobacco litter indiscriminately, our strong desire to help employees and students interested in quitting their tobacco use, and the message we are sending about the negative impact of tobacco use to all who come to UNK, the justification for the policy is clear. Our objective is to have policies that create the best work environment possible. Tobacco use desecrates the environment and harms people. It is completely consistent with our mission to eliminate tobacco use from our property, but we will do so with respect for everyone, including tobacco users!

Safety is a concern for all students, tobacco users and non-users, both on and off campus. This is why American University utilizes Public Safety and liaisons with local authorities to implement crime prevention strategies that help keep everyone safer. Students who choose to go off campus to use tobacco products would not be at any greater risk than students who choose to go off campus to study, eat, etc.

Background: There are court cases that uphold the FDA’s determination that e-cigarettes are “tobacco.” As long as the FDA considers e-cigarettes tobacco, any policy prohibiting tobacco use prohibits the use of e-cigarettes. This is important because if e-cigarette use was permitted on your property, the enforcement of the policy would be much more difficult if not impossible. From thirty feet away it is virtually impossible to tell the difference between a cigarette and e-cigarette!

Answer: The Food and Drug Administration has determined e-cigarettes are “tobacco.” Since our policy prohibits tobacco use, e-cigarettes are included.

Answer: Employees and students are required to comply with organizational policies. Failure to do so would jeopardize a person’s job/standing at UNK. It is our hope that all who use tobacco would choose to not do so out of respect for others and the environment. In voluntarily complying, employees and students help UNK be a welcoming destination for the thousands of visitors we serve each year. By eliminating tobacco use from our property, UNK is sending a powerful message about the harm tobacco use causes for people and our wonderful environment!

Background: It is important to anticipate all modes of communication about the policy with visitors, vendors and others. This includes adding language in all RFP’s that successful bidders will be required to have their employees who perform contracted work on UNK property to comply with the tobacco policy.

Answer: All who come onto UNK property will be informed of the tobacco policy and thanked for their cooperation. UNK employees and students will be trained how to talk about the policy in positive ways that respect others.

Answer: There is not yet an official policy for this proposal, however in order to meet the goals of a healthier and cleaner campus environment, it is recommended that tobacco products be allowed on the premises (in an individual’s personal possession such as their car, bag, or place of residence), but use of that product on campus is prohibited.

Answer: UNK would like to balance the “rights” of the person using tobacco with the rights of the person who doesn’t want to be exposed to the effects of tobacco use. We have carefully considered the issues, including the impact on health and our environment. When you consider tobacco users are outnumbered by non-users by around 4 to 1, the history of many tobacco users discarding their tobacco litter indiscriminately, our strong desire to help employees and students interested in quitting their tobacco use, and the message we are sending about the negative impact of tobacco use to all who come to UNK, the justification for the policy is clear. Our objective is to have policies that create the best work environment possible. Tobacco use desecrates the environment and harms people. It is completely consistent with our mission to eliminate tobacco use from our property, but we will do so with respect for everyone, including tobacco users!

A tobacco-free campus emphasizes the health of all students, faculty, and staff. Tobacco is proven to cause long-lasting health risks among its users and those around them. Eliminating tobacco use on campus will promote the health of all those who use our campus. The university has already made a commitment to health of students, faculty, and staff by constructing a new wellness center and offering many wellness classes. going tobacco-free shows the sincerity of that commitment. While UNK has an existing tobacco policy, research has shown, not only on our campus, but on others, that a limited tobacco policy is difficult to enforce due to confusion (ie- can you chew tobacco in buildings? is it 20 or 30 feet from the building? is it okay to snort tobacco in class?). As well, individuals who would attempt to enforce any limited policy can sometimes feel powerless to do so as they may feel unsure as to what is allowable. A tobacco-free policy simplifies it all and makes it clear that no tobacco is allowed to be used on campus.

UNK currently has a substance abuse policy, in which the use of marijuana is prohibited. As for whether or not Nebraska should someday legalize marijuana, that’s a question for your state senator.

A tobacco-free campus emphasizes the health of all students, faculty, and staff. Many times when addressing issues surrounding tobacco use, many people focus on the restrictions policies place on the tobacco user and neglect to focus on all individuals and how it impacts our campus community. In short, there are two sides to every issue and a tobacco-free campus focuses of the health and wellness of all.

While UNK has an existing tobacco policy, research has shown, not only on our campus, but on others, that a limited tobacco policy is difficult to enforce due to confusion (ie- can you chew tobacco in buildings? is it 20 or 30 feet from the building? is it okay to snort tobacco in class?). As well, individuals who would attempt to enforce any limited policy can sometimes feel powerless to do so as they may feel unsure as to what is allowable. A tobacco-free policy simplifies it all and makes it clear that no tobacco is allowed to be used on campus.

When thinking through policies, we must ask ourselves why these policies are being put in place. Why don’t we allow guns of campus even though it is a constitutional right to bear arms? Why don’t we allow alcohol on campus even though many individuals are over 21? Why don’t we allow candles to be burned in the residence hall rooms although it’s considered a private residence?

Policies are put in place because we are thinking about the environment and the greater good of everyone. As a university, we figure out ways to enforce policies that we think are important. In the same way, in any policy that is developed, the policy-makers must consider what the best ways to enforce a tobacco free campus will be. When looking at our peer institutions and over 1,100 other universities that have gone tobacco or smoke free, it is good to borrow from them as to how they enforce such policies. If other universities can do it, why can’t we? WE CAN AT UNK!

A tobacco-free campus emphasizes the health of all students, faculty, and staff. Many times when addressing issues surrounding tobacco use, many people focus on the restrictions policies place on the tobacco user and neglect to focus on all individuals and how it impacts our campus community. In short, there are two sides to every issue and a tobacco-free campus focuses of the health and wellness of all.

While many of us may be aware of the threat that second-hand smoke poses, third-hand smoke has an increased risk due to a lack of public knowledge. In simple terms, third-hand smoke is the residue left behind on surfaces such as walls, floors, counter tops, and furniture after a person has smoked in the area. While policies are in place that put restrictions on tobacco users, the negative impact that tobacco use has on the UNK campus has lasting effects for both the user and non-user. Again a 100% tobacco-free campus is about the health and well-being of all.

In the same way that we ask visitors to respect our current policies, and in the same way that businesses and vendors in Kearney ask visitors to their respect policies regardless of them being paying customers, we would ask visitors to continue to respect the policies of UNK. Any policy that is developed must consider a number of issues and concerns, and the university’s policy makers can draw from the over 1,100 universities that have already addressed these issues and concerns in their tobacco-free policies. When considering half-time and intermission smokers, it is being assumed that those smokers are not affecting anyone negatively. However one ought think about the following:

• While many of us may be aware of the threat that second-hand smoke poses, third-hand smoke has an increased risk due to a lack of public knowledge. In simple terms, third-hand smoke is the residue left behind on surfaces such as walls, floors, counter tops, and furniture after a person has smoked in the area.
• Guests may want to get fresh air during half-time or intermission, but avoid doing so because of the second-hand smoke in the area.
• The image of the university can be impacted by the byproducts of tobacco use such as cigarette butts, spit, and smell. Some individuals visit the university with children, the elderly, those with medical issues, and those that are allergic to tobacco and want to be in a safe and healthy environment. These individuals must be considered when thinking of a 2-3 hour event as well. We must also think about the individuals who do not attend events because they want to avoid being exposed to second and third hand tobacco use. In the end, the movement toward a 100% tobacco-free UNK is about respect for the health and well-being of all.

Policies are put in place because we are thinking about the environment and the greater good of everyone. As a university, we figure out ways to enforce policies that we think are important. In the same way, in any policy that is developed, the policy-makers must consider what the best ways to enforce a tobacco free campus will be. When looking at our peer institutions and over 1,100 other universities that have gone tobacco or smoke free, it is good to borrow from them as to how they enforce such policies. If other universities can do it, why can’t we? WE CAN AT UNK!

UNK’s current policy does not allow any tobacco use in any building owned by the university, so while students my have it on their person they already are asked not to use tobacco in any UNK building. Therefore the policy does not change much in that respect. However this is something that must be considered in any policy that is developed and our recommendation based on the nature of our campus is that the use of tobacco be prohibited not necessarily the possession of tobacco products.

I think too many individuals are speculating far in advance what the policy will entail when the details of such a policy have yet to be established.

UNKPD will most likely not even be a part of the enforcement piece but that’s for the administration to decide. Over 1,100 Universities have made this move and have done so successfully. I feel that UNK can borrow from schools such as Ohio State and Pitt State and make something work. Both have policies that work well and are self-enforcement, no fines, etc.

We understand that people look at this and think, it can never happen, and that there is no way people will respect this…and you are right, there will be some that will choose to break the policy in the same way those people break the alcohol policy, light candles in their rooms, bring guns on campus, write on the side walk with chalk without permission, etc. but the vast majority of individuals have respect for the system. When establishing a policy like this one, the vast majority of the UNK community,(who by the way, no one until recently has made it a point to defend their actual right, not choice, to live, learn and work in a safe and healthy environment), will be empowered to actually speak up because the rules are clear. 100% Tobacco-Free. A policy has yet to be discussed fully and all of these issues I am sure will be taken into consideration.

We appreciate your feedback but we want to assure you that we have researched this issue for two years and asked the same questions, and we sought and seek answers from the more than 1,100 hundred colleges and universities that made this transition. Many of our peer institutions are part of that 1,100. So while many think we can’t at UNK, we like to think that We Can.

Part of the answer in short is that research has shown that universities that have made compromises in their policies later stated that they wished they would have chosen to go 100% tobacco free as partial policies create confusion on a number of levels. 100% is a clear and simple for everyone, making it easier to help create a healthier campus rather than a semi healthy campus.

I think many people get caught up in the tobacco users’ choice and neglect the fact that in doing so they ignore an actual right that everyone has to learn and work in an environment that is safe and healthy. So the statement, “more likely to get a healthier/happier campus” is an assumption whereas factual data supports that any tobacco use is not healthy to the user, those around the user, and the environment. I would encourage you to read through the rights section on our site.

In addition to the research that has found tobacco to be harmful, our research as well as many other universities’ research, shows that most students would prefer a 100% tobacco free campus. With these facts we can say with validity, borrowing from your statement, that “it is more likely to get a healthier/happier campus if we went tobacco-free as most students prefer this.”

One thing that has become evident to us as this process goes on is how little individuals understand about tobacco and what it does to the body and the environment. You are concerned with taking away others’ attempt to stay stress free.

1. We are not attempting to take that away, we are asking that it not be done on campus. Much in the same way that many students want to drink alcohol to stay stress free but the University prohibits the use and possession of alcohol on its grounds, even if you are of age.

2. Research into smoking and stress has shown that, instead of helping people to relax, smoking actually increases anxiety and tension. Nicotine creates an immediate sense of relaxation so people smoke in the belief that it reduces stress and anxiety. This feeling of relaxation is temporary and soon gives way to withdrawal symptoms and increased cravings. Smoking reduces nicotine withdrawal symptoms, which are similar to the symptoms of anxiety, but it does not reduce anxiety or deal with the underlying causes. Our true concern should be focused on how to help these individuals overcome their addictions in order to help them live lives that are a bit less stressful and a lot healthier for themselves and others. If they choose that they do not want the help, that’s their choice, a university should not accommodate that addiction as they would not for an alcohol, it should seek to assist that student in quitting, not encouraging the behavior.

Soda/sweets? Think on what you are stating. Universities have a responsibility to provide a safe, respectful and healthy environment so that the members of that community can succeed. If the use of soda and sweets posed risks or potential risk to the university community, it would be the responsibility of that university to minimize or eliminate that risk. A person can have a soda or eat a piece of cake and that in itself is not harmful to others and with proper diet and education is not necessarily unhealthy for the individual consuming those items.

However, consider alcohol, in itself in proper amounts is not unhealthy, and if you are of age is not illegal, yet it is not allowed on campus. Why is that? Consider guns, which we have our 2nd amendment right to bear arms, they are not allowed on campus. Why is that? It is because of the risks or potential risks they pose on the UNK Community. Under the Rights/freedom section on this website you will see an explanation as to why universities restrict alcohol and guns. This is done for the safety and wellbeing of the campus community.

CHOICE: that’s why there is a vote, so students can choose what they want to happen next. We had enough statistical data that was valid and strong to create a proposal and bypass the voting process, but it was our decision to empower students to make a choice as to what happens next.

One must not forget that when we do not make changes that will create an environment of respect for others and the environment, and for the greater health of the campus community, that a choice is still being made for one side without their input, and that’s those who are exposed to risks each day due to tobacco use. A tobacco user has a choice to use; a non tobacco user exposed to it does not.

The UNK Peer Health Education Office received a small grant from the Buffalo County Tobacco Free Coalition. For more information regarding funding and our work plan, please contact the coalition or Tobacco Free Nebraska Offices.

As for this becoming a large movement, communicating via social networks and campus mail helped this movement gain momentum and become “viral” within our community. As well, support from the UNK Wellness Program, UNK Staff Senate, and several UNK employees, helped to get people talking about a Tobacco-Free UNK.

We are unsure of where those numbers within your question came from, but I think there is some confusion. Here is the correct information regarding the student vote:

The Peer Health Education organization conducted a vote on Wednesday February 26th and Thursday the 27th asking students the following:

Are you in favor of a proposal for a 100% tobacco-free UNK being presented to the Chancellor’s Cabinet for a policy to be created at the University of Nebraska-Kearney?

*100% Tobacco-Free means prohibiting the USE of ALL tobacco products.

Yes

No

Using the Qualtrics Survey Software’s Spring 2014 Enrollment database, the UNK Peer Health organization emailed 6,324 registered UNK students. Of those students emailed, 2,091 responded, with 1,381 (66.045%) voting “Yes” [they are in favor of] a proposal for a 100% tobacco-free UNK being presented to the Chancellor’s Cabinet for a policy to be created at the University of Nebraska-Kearney. 710 (33.955%) UNK Students voted “No” [they are NOT in favor] of a proposal for a 100% tobacco-free UNK being presented to the Chancellor’s Cabinet for a policy to be created at the University of Nebraska-Kearney.

The next steps for the Peer Health Education students are to focus on their academics leading up to spring break. After spring break the organization will begin developing a clear and concise proposal to present to the Dean, Division of Student Affairs and the Chancellor in early April for the consideration of a 100% tobacco-free UNK.

The entire UNK population was able to participate in the process, 33% of that population decided to let their voice be heard. Due to the entire population being emailed, and having such a large response rate, we have a good indication of where the entire campus stands on this issue. For more information regarding statistical validity, you can google it.

*Side Note: The 73% you are referencing is the percentage of students who reported preferring a 100% Tobacco-Free UNK in the Spring of 2012 per the ACHA-NCHA in which 3,000 randomly selected UNK Students were asked to participate in and in which 690 responded. There are a great deal of individuals who do not understand research and assume that if the entire campus does not respond than you cannot generalize or that your data is invalid. However, according to he ACHA and many other research firms and researchers, such a survey due to the random selection of individuals within a population and our sample size, yields a 95% Confidence Level with a Confidence Interval of +/- 3%.

Thank you for pointing out a necessary correction. We are working on double checking this information. Regardless, what we do know about e-cigarettes is the following: The FDA does not consider e-cigarettes to be a safe nicotine delivery system. See FDA information on e-cigarettes.

As well, throughout out our research we have found the best way to ensure an effective policy is to go 100% tobacco-free. It provides a clear and simple approach to keeping the campus safe and respecting others and the environment. From thirty feet away it is virtually impossible to tell the difference between a cigarette and e-cigarette which can cause confusion regarding the campus policy. Finally, there is no way to know what is inside an e-cigarette as someone can put tobacco or marijuana into it. Therefore the best possible approach is to include it under a 100% tobacco-free policy.

It should be noted that this is only a recommendation for a policy and any policy developed will be determined by the appropriate authorities. Those authorities may deem e-cigarettes acceptable to be used on campus.

You are greatly mistaken as to how research works. If you are interested in discussing this in person or over the phone you can contact my office at 308.865.8092 or you can leave your name, number and email address via the contact us button on this website.

When conducting research, researchers do not need to survey an entire population in order to gain valid and reliable data about that population. Generalizations can be made about that population with a level of confidence and confidence interval (margin of error) as long as the proper criterion is met with the sample population surveyed. If a randomize selection of individuals within a population is conducted, and the response rate of those randomly selected individuals reaches a set number based on the number of the entire population, your data is valid and reliable and can be generalized to that populations.

Consider the UNK Population of just over 7,000 students. The ACHA-NCHA randomly selected 3,000 of the 7,000 students at UNK to participate in the 2012 assessment. Of those 3,000 students, 690 students responded. In order to have valid and reliable data that could be generalized to the entire UNK student body population, 700 students (in a population of 10,000…UNK’s is only 7,000) would needed to have responded of the 3,000. We had enough students (690 for our population of 7,000) of that randomized selection of 3,000 respond, ensuring validity and reliability of our results.

Therefore we can say with 95% confidence that “73% of students…” with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.

This means that if we were to ask every single person at UNK this question, 73%, plus or minus 3%, would be the result that we would get 95 out of 100 times we ask the question.

These rules are followed by universities and colleges across the world as well as major research agencies such as Gallup and the ACHA.

Also, I think you are confused. We did not have that random sample of UNK students vote (3000 students of which 690 responded, of which 511 favored a tobacco free campus). That was research we conducted via an online assessment in 2012.

The vote consisted of us sending a ballot via email to all students enrolled In the Spring 2014 semester. Of the 6,000 plus students, we have 2,091 total students respond (which is a great response rate), and of that 2091, 1381 favored the policy going forward for a tobacco free UNK.

I hope this helps clear up your confusion. Otherwise I would recommend contacting me so we can discuss it in person or I would suggest taking a research methods course. Thank you.