Fredonia’s observance of the National Smoke Out Day on Thursday, Nov. 12, falls shortly before the second anniversary of the university's designation as a tobacco-free campus. And, with cigarette butts still littering entrances of high-traffic buildings, organizers of this year’s commemoration say there’s still work to be done to truly become tobacco-free.
The Student Health and Counseling Centers will set up information tables from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Williams Center, outside of Tim Hortons, and inside the entrance of McEwen Hall on the National Smoke Out Day to encourage those students, faculty and staff who still smoke cigarettes to quit and also increase awareness of the Tobacco Free Initiative.
Interns from FredWell and Health Promotions will distribute information on smoking cessation programs, the dangers of tobacco and surprise bags that contain tips to quit smoking. Gum, stress relief balls and candy will also be given away.
“Although the onus is on Tobacco Free, the real initiative should be on how do we keep our campus clean, and preserve the wellness of our students, faculty and staff,” noted Deborah Dibble, director of the Student Health Center and a leading force behind efforts to increase awareness of the Tobacco Free Initiative.
Acting on a directive from SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher and the SUNY Board of Trustees, Fredonia – and 30 other SUNY campuses -- implemented a tobacco-free policy on Jan. 1, 2014 that banned the use of all tobacco and tobacco-related products throughout the campus. As a result, areas formerly designated for smoking no longer exist, and butt stop receptacles were removed from entrances of academic buildings, residence halls and other high-traffic areas.
A committee comprised of faculty, staff and students, with representation from key personnel in departments, management and unions, met regularly for an entire year to develop and implement the tobacco-free policy. Prohibited by the policy are cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, e-cigarettes, vapor and other electronic products, and any other form of tobacco.
A Quit and Win Contest was rolled out by the Student Health Center, Student Counseling Center and Employee Assistance Program when the tobacco free policy went into effect. All three organizations offered tools, assistance, pamphlets and other programs to assist whose wishing to stop smoking. After an impressive start, participants began losing interest.
Dibble acknowledges that reaction to the tobacco free policy has been mixed. “Some were grateful that we were moving towards improving the health and wellness of the campus, others felt that their rights were being violated. And worse, others became defiant, and outwardly began to smoke publically including in areas where they never have thought about doing it before,” she explained.
The last observation is supported by results of a Stash the Ash contest held in September to promote keeping the campus clean. In it, students, faculty and staff guessed how many cigarette butts – displayed in a clear container – were picked up in a two-hour period in just two prominent areas of campus. The tally was 2,670 butts, which Dibble acknowledged was only a small fraction of what could be found around campus.
“Fredonia is such a beautiful campus, with its trees, flowers and picturesque landscape,” Dibble remarked. “That is, until you look down on the ground, particularly in key areas surrounding the residence halls, classrooms, outside of Starbucks and Tim Hortons.”
In addition to support offered by the Student Health Center, Student Counseling Center and Employee Assistance Program, free samples of patches and gum to aid in helping those who would like to quit is available through the New York State Smokers Quitline.
