At the request of the College Senate, SUNY Buffalo State adopted a smoke-free campus policy. Implementation of the new policy was assigned to a campus implementation committee reporting to the vice president for student affairs. Initially, advertising, informational tables and meetings with constituent groups helped create awareness of the policy. Buffalo State’s smoke free campus campaign has entered a more visible public awareness phase. Awareness efforts will be enhanced through open forums, a smoke free ambassador outreach efforts and increased signage starting with the fall semester.
1. What is Buffalo State’s Smoke-free Policy?
It is Buffalo State's policy to provide a smoke-free environment in all university facilities and outdoor areas. With its smoke-free policy, Buffalo State has reached beyond current law and applicable statutes, including the New York State Clean Indoor Air Act (Public Health Law Article 13-E), to adopt a policy that embraces the entire campus, including all inside and outside areas. We note that the SUNY Board of Trustees has recommended a system-wide ban on the use of tobacco and other products on SUNY campuses, but that action has not yet passed the New York State Legislature.
You can find the complete smoke-free policy here.
2. When did Buffalo State become smoke-free?
Buffalo State’s smoke-free policy was adopted by the College Senate in May 2011 and went into effect when accepted by the administration on September 1, 2011.
3. Why did Buffalo State go smoke-free?
Buffalo State has revised its smoke policy to provide a healthy and safe environment for employees, students and visitors, and to promote positive health behaviors. The policy does not intend to make tobacco users quit; rather, it intends to prevent individuals from using tobacco products on campus property, where others become exposed to tobacco’s adverse effects.
The university seeks to provide a clean and healthy environment for all students, employees and visitors. The smoke-free campus policy will:
According to the CDC, tobacco is the leading cause of preventable death in the U.S., killing an estimated 443,000 Americans annually while many others die from exposure to secondhand smoke and smokeless tobacco. The CDC estimates that between one third and one half of all smokers will die from their addiction to tobacco.
Multiple studies affirm that there are no safe levels of exposure to secondhand smoke, including outdoor smoke.
4. Are other universities to-free?
Across the United States, an ever-increasing number of colleges and universities are instituting tobacco-free policies: As of October 1, 2010, at least 446 colleges and universities had enacted smoke-free or tobacco-free policies for their entire campuses (indoors and out); about another 80 had enacted policies that include minor exemptions for remote outdoor areas. Other colleges and universities have not encountered significant problems enforcing tobacco-free policies. This link will provide a list of tobacco-free colleges and universities.
It is expected that all SUNY campuses will become tobacco-free in the near future, based on Chancellor Zimpher’s recommendation, approved by the SUNY Board of Trustees, to adopt a system-wide ban on the use of tobacco products on SUNY campuses. However, that action requires additional approval by the New York State Legislature before taking effect.
5. What products are prohibited by this policy?
Tobacco products include, but are not limited to, cigarettes (traditional and e-cigarettes), chew, pipes, cigars, hookah or waterpipe smoking, snuff, snus vapes. marijuana.
6. Why is smokeless tobacco included in the ban?
Establishing a comprehensive policy that includes all forms of tobacco has better health outcomes, is more equitable, and easier to enforce. The policy consistently addresses health issues, because there is no safe form of tobacco. Chewing tobacco, e-cigarettes and snuff contain cancer-causing agents and can lead to hypertension. In addition, smokeless tobacco use often creates unwanted and sometimes hazardous waste and byproducts that can be spilled both outdoors and indoors. These spills create more cleanup work for campus maintenance staff and harm the environment.
A smoke-free policy sends a consistent health message by not implying that one form of tobacco is safe. There are no safe forms or levels of tobacco use. The policy promotes and protects the health of all campus members, users and non-users alike.
Smoke-free policies are now a national standard for college campuses, advocated by major health agencies.
7. Are e-cigarettes included?
Yes, the policy prohibits all forms of tobacco and any nicotine delivery device that has not been approved by the FDA for cessation (the FDA has the authority to regulate e-cigarettes as a “tobacco product” under the Tobacco Control Act). National health agencies remain skeptical of the safety of these devices due to a lack of scientific data. Until FDA approval is granted, these will not be allowed on campus, which is consistent with national standards and guidelines.
8. Will there be designated smoking areas on campus?
No. The use of tobacco will be prohibited on all campus grounds. Smoking zones and perimeter policies have not been found to be effective (or enforceable) and smoking shelters are expensive to construct and maintain. Campuses with full smoke-free policies have reported fewer problems with compliance than policies that include smoking areas.
9. What about football games, concerts or other public events?
All events occurring on campus or on campus-property will be covered by the smoke-free policy. Signage, electronic and printed notices will be provided to visitors at games and events to make sure everyone is clearly informed about the policy.
10. Who is affected by this policy?
The policy applies to every person who comes to Buffalo State, including visitors, faculty, staff, volunteers, students, contractors, and service representatives.
11. Does the policy apply to student housing?
Yes, the policy applies to all areas of campus, including student housing.
12. Do employees, students, and visitors have to quit using tobacco?
No. We are not saying you must quit using tobacco. But we are saying you cannot use tobacco while you are on College property. If you are ready to quit, we want to support your efforts
13. Am I in violation of the policy if I possess tobacco products?
No, the policy governs use of tobacco products, not possession of tobacco products.
14. Does the policy prohibit me from bringing cigarettes or other tobacco products to a College facility?
No. Only the actual or apparent use (e.g., ‘smoking’ an unlit cigarette) of such products on campus is prohibited.
15. Who should I talk to about questions or concerns that I have about the Smoke-Free Policy?
Your opinion and feedback are very important to us, and we want to help you understand the policy and answer any questions you may have. Please feel free to contact the Dean of Students at 716-878-4618 or by email to gordontw@buffalostate.edu.
Enforcement
16. What will happen if we violate the smoke-free policy?
Employees and students are required to comply with college policies. It is our hope that all who uses tobacco would comply with the policy out of respect for others and the environment. In voluntarily complying, employees and students help Buffalo State be a welcoming community for the thousands of students and visitors we serve each year. By eliminating tobacco use from our property, Buffalo State is sending a powerful message about the harm tobacco use causes for people and the environment!
17. Why should I comply?
Civility and respect for others are what guide us in establishing and maintaining a smoke-free campus. While this policy may be difficult for tobacco users at first, we hope that all members of the college community will respect each other and the environment.
18. How will the policy be enforced?
Initially there will be an emphasis on education as the campus and community adapt to the policy. Violators will receive a friendly reminder, along with cessation information. A recent study of tobacco-free campuses found that most campus members respect the policy once they are informed.
19. How will our "smoking" visitors be treated regarding the policy?
All who come onto Buffalo State property will be informed of the smoke-free policy and thanked for their cooperation. Buffalo State employees and students will be trained how to talk about the policy in positive ways that are respectful of others.
20. Will the policy be enforced inside personal vehicles on campus?
We discourage smoking inside personal vehicles for reasons of personal health. Evidence suggests a much higher incidence of health problems resulting from prolonged smoking inside confined spaces.
The College will not enforce the tobacco policy inside individual, personal vehicles parked on university property. It will be the vehicle owner's responsibility to reasonably contain the smoke inside their vehicle while parked on campus. This does not include university-owned vehicles, which are included in the policy.
21. Who is responsible for enforcing the policy and what are the consequences of violating the policy?
Efforts will be made to ensure that faculty, staff, students and visitors are aware of the policy. Responsibility for complying with the policy rests first and foremost with the individual.
Rights
22. Isn't this a violation of my civil rights?
No, a smoke-free campus policy is not a violation of an individual's civil rights. There is no state or federal law that provides a "right" to smoke or use tobacco. In addition, the University has the authority to govern and regulate the use of its facilities and properties.
23. Don’t I have a right to smoke on campus?
No. There is no “right” to use tobacco under either state or federal law. Additionally, court rulings maintain that smokers do not have the legal right to expose others to secondhand smoke, a Class-A carcinogen, and they are not entitled to protection against discrimination as “addicts” or as “disabled persons.”
Establishing a smoke-free campus preserves everyone's right to breathe smoke-free air in a cleaner campus environment, while allowing adults who choose to use tobacco to continue to do so off-campus. Buffalo State’s policy is based upon respect for others and for the environment, and supports the rights and privileges of both tobacco users and non-users alike.
24. Isn’t it my right to use tobacco?
Tobacco use is a legal product for adults. However, the university owns campus property and can establish policies that protect the health of all campus members. A smoke-free policy does not prohibit tobacco use; the policy merely establishes where use can occur.
25. You say the reason for the policy is respect for others but you aren't respecting smokers. How is that right?
Buffalo State aims 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 Buffalo State, 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.
Education and Cessation Resources
26. How can I quit (or help someone I know quit)?
Smoke-free policies have been shown to encourage people to quit. These policies also support those who are trying to quit.
The New York Quitline 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) provides individual coaching and free or low-cost cessation support, including nicotine replacement therapies and prescription drugs.
For more information on campus and community cessation support, visit this link
27. What type of training is being done to make employees and students aware of this policy?
Weigel Health Center offers a variety of training opportunities tailored to university students, faculty and staff. Such training opportunities include, but are not limited to cessation education and counseling, policy enforcement, and student advocacy. Training information and updates will be available at http://weigel.buffalostate.edu/education-and-cessation-resources
28. What is the college doing to help students, faculty and staff who want to quit using tobacco products?
Click on the Tobacco Cessation Resources tab for more information. http://weigel.buffalostate.edu/education-and-cessation-resources
29. I am interested in tobacco treatment resources, but am not an employee or student of BSC. What resources are available to me?
The College values the health and well-being of everyone who uses our facilities. If you use tobacco products and would like to quit, discuss with your physician or other health care provider which of the approaches may work best for you.
A variety of resources to help stop using tobacco, if you choose to do so, are available. Visit the Tobacco Treatment Resources tab for more information.
How to Help
30. What should I do if I see someone using tobacco on campus?
The policy will best be enforced by everyone taking an active role in informing people that a smoke-free policy is in effect. A large majority of Buffalo State students and employees support a smoke-free environment, so it is appropriate for you to speak up.
Members of the campus community who see individuals using tobacco on campus grounds are asked to inform these individuals politely that college policy prohibits tobacco use anywhere on campus grounds. Faculty and staff who do not feel comfortable approaching someone violating the policy should contact their immediate supervisor or department head. We expect all members of the College community to treat each other with dignity and respect, support each other, and embrace a spirit of having a healthy living, learning, and working environment.
If you notice an area where people are consistently violating the policy, you can report this to the Dean of Students office at 716-878-4618 or by email to gordontw@buffalostate.edu
31. How should I respond if someone gets angry or aggressive?
Do not continue to speak to anyone who becomes angry or confrontational. Simply walk away.
32. What should I say to someone I see violating the policy?
The following are suggested scripted messages you are encouraged to say when you see someone violating the policy:
Example Script #1:
Situation: You see a person using tobacco products on College property.
Response: "Hello, my name is _______, and I am an (employee, student) here at Buffalo State. I want to make you aware that we are now a Smoke-Free campus, meaning that tobacco products are prohibited on our grounds. We would appreciate if you would not use tobacco products while visiting our campus. Thank you for your cooperation."
Example Script #2:
Question: "Where am I allowed to smoke?"
Response: "Smoking and other tobacco products are not allowed anywhere on campus. This is a new policy, meant to promote better health in our students, faculty and staff. If you need to smoke or use tobacco products you will need to leave the campus. If you are interested in quitting smoking you can attend one of the cessation programs held on campus or call the NY State Smokers' Quitline (give card with information)
Example Script #3:
For Vendors and Visitors: "I'd like to let you know in advance that Buffalo State’s campus is a Smoke-Free environment. Use of tobacco products will not be permitted on any property, grounds, or parking areas. Thank you for respecting our policy."
33. Who should I talk to about questions or concerns that I have about the Smoke-Free Policy?
Your opinion and feedback are very important to us, and we want to help you understand the policy and answer any questions you may have. Please feel free to contact the Dean of Students at 716-878-4618 or by email to gordontw@buffalostate.edu.
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