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Wright State University is now a tobacco-free campus, joining over 1,400 other colleges and universities in the U.S. that have chosen to become tobacco free.<\/p>\nWright State University is now a tobacco-free campus, joining over 1,400 other colleges and universities in the U.S. that have chosen to become tobacco free.<\/p>\n
The new tobacco-free policy<\/a>, which took effect July 1, will help promote a healthy environment in which students, staff, faculty and others can learn, work, live and visit.<\/p>\n The health hazards related to using tobacco are well documented. Tobacco is the leading cause of preventable death and disability in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.<\/p>\n \u201cQuitting tobacco is one of the most important things you can do for your health,\u201d said Doug Newton, Wright State\u2019s Wellness Program director<\/a>. \u201cOne of the guiding principles of Wright State\u2019s person-centered approach is to promote behaviors that support a healthy workforce and student body.\u201d<\/p>\n In July 2012, the Ohio Board of Regents (presently known as the Ohio Department of Higher Education), recommended that all Ohio public universities become tobacco free.<\/p>\n \u201cAs a community partner, Public Health has been conducting cessation and is providing 46 large campus street signs that welcome everyone to Wright State\u2019s tobacco-free campus,\u201d said Bruce Barcelo, Healthy Lifestyle Supervisor at Public Health \u2013 Dayton & Montgomery County.<\/p>\n All smoking and smokeless tobacco products, as well as e-cigarettes, are now prohibited in all university facilities, on university-owned or leased grounds, and in university residence halls and apartments. However, nicotine-replacement gum, lozenges and patches, as well as other cessation products approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration are permitted.<\/p>\n The tobacco-free policy applies to anyone on campus including students, faculty, staff, visitors, consultants, vendors, patients, volunteers, and contractor employees.<\/p>\n Wright State is committed to assisting smokers and tobacco users who want to quit using tobacco products. The university is partnering with Public Health \u2013 Dayton & Montgomery County and WCORHA WELLScript to continue to offer free tobacco cessation classes for faculty, staff and students at the Dayton and Lake campuses.<\/p>\n \u201cTobacco use continues to have a devastating impact on our community,\u201d said\u00a0Barcelo, a Wright State graduate who has been involved with the university\u2019s tobacco policy initiative from the very beginning.<\/p>\n \u201cThe encouraging, hopeful news is that smoke-free policies like the one Wright State University has implemented are shown to impact a smoker\u2019s willingness to quit,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n Visit wright.edu\/tobaccofree<\/a> for information about the tobacco-free initiative and additional tobacco cessation resources.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" New tobacco-free policy, which took effect July 1, will help promote a healthy environment in which students, staff, faculty and others can learn, work, live and visit. Continue reading ![\"\"](\"http:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/files\/2017\/06\/Tobbaco-Free-Metal-Sign-v06-small-240x300.jpg\")
Wright State began investigating this initiative five years ago with a task force comprised of faculty, staff and students, as well as Public Health \u2013 Dayton & Montgomery County. After careful review, many surveys and campus discussions, the decision was made to become a tobacco-free campus.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/files\/2017\/04\/50th-anniversary-logo-700x550-260x204.jpg\"){kind=logo}
Newton said many employees and students successfully completed the program during the offerings of cessation classes earlier this year. The next round of classes will begin in the fall.<\/p>\n