Why did the U go smoke and tobacco free?
The University is committed to the health and well-being of everyone on campus. The smoke- and tobacco-free policy was adopted based on the wealth of research documenting the health risks associated with tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke, the assessments of regional and national trends, and input from the campus community. Specific benefits to our community include:
- It allows the nonsmoking majority of the campus to breathe fresh air without exposure to the Class A carcinogens of secondhand smoke.
- It provides a supportive environment for the many smokers who are trying to quit smoking.
- It dramatically reduces the number one groundskeeping and cleanup expense for the University.
- It reduces absenteeism and health care costs.
How is this policy enforced?
Creating a supportive, positive, and healthy smoke- and tobacco-free environment for the entire campus is a shared responsibility. We encourage students, staff, faculty, and visitors to promote compliance with the policy. Read more about promoting compliance.
Why did the U go both smoke- and tobacco-free?
Because of the negative health and environmental impacts of all tobacco products, the U adopted a tobacco-free, rather than just a smoke-free policy. In 2009, the American College Health Association adopted a no tobacco use policy and encourages and supports colleges and universities to achieve a 100% indoor and outdoor campus-wide tobacco-free environment.
Before implementation of the University's smoke- and tobacco-free campus policy, 81% of students and 57% of staff and faculty reported being exposed to secondhand smoke on campus. In addition, 15% of students and 22% of staff and faculty reported having a health condition triggered by exposure to secondhand smoke (Tobacco Free Campus Policy Opinion Survey, 2012).
The U.S. Surgeon General says there is no risk-free level of secondhand tobacco smoke exposure. Every year, 443,000 people die from tobacco-related illnesses, making it the leading cause of preventable mortality in the United States.
Why are electronic cigarettes prohibited?
E-cigarettes are designed to deliver high amounts of nicotine to the user—more than two times the amount approved by the FDA for smoking cessation aids. Little is known about the long-term health effects of e-cigarettes, but many ingredients are known to cause lung and cardiac inflammation, cancer, and cell damage.
Do tobacco-free policies change behavior?
Smoke-free campus policies are proven to decrease current smoking prevalence in students, decrease the amount of cigarettes used by those who continue to smoke, decrease students’ acceptance of peer smoking, change social norms around tobacco use, and increase favorable attitudes towards regulation of tobacco. To learn more about the effects of campus tobacco-free policies, check out this study.
Do other schools have similar campus policies?
In 2009, the American College Health Association adopted a no tobacco use policy and encourages and supports colleges and universities to achieve a 100% indoor and outdoor campus-wide tobacco-free environment. More than 2,000 campuses across the United States have adopted such policies—see the complete list of schools.
What areas of campus does the smoke- and tobacco-free campus policy cover?
The smoke- and tobacco-free campus policy covers all property, buildings, and facilities under the primary control of the University of Minnesota through ownership, lease, or other means. Because the boundaries of the Twin Cities campus are harder to discern within the urban setting, please see the following maps for guidance.
Tobacco-Free Minneapolis Campus
Tobacco-Free St. Paul Campus