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Effective January 1, 2008, the IUPUC campus will be smoke- and tobacco-free. The campus has adopted this
policy in order to promote a healthier and more welcoming environment for employees, students, and guests.
Smoking and other tobacco use is prohibited both indoors and outdoors on all IUPUC properties and in university-owned,
operated, or leased vehicles both on and off campus.
Enforcement of this policy will depend upon the compliance of all members of the campus community and their
encouragement of others to comply with this policy in order to ensure a healthy environment in which to work,
study, and live.
There are three primary reasons for the updated tobacco policy: for a healthier faculty, staff, and student body;
for a more beautiful and more welcoming campus; and to comply with Indiana University policy.
A healthier faculty, staff, and student body
The smoke- and tobacco-free policy helps those who don’t smoke avoid exposure to secondhand smoke and encourages
all tobacco users to reduce their consumption.
According to the National Cancer Institute, exposure to secondhand smoke causes more than 35,000 deaths from heart
disease and 3,000 lung cancer deaths in the U.S. annually, so this is a serious concern. For those who have asthma
or other respiratory problems, walking through smoke to get to their place of work is a true health hazard. That’s
what makes this issue different from obesity or other health concerns – the smoker’s behavior affects the health of
others, not just his/her own health. Oral tobacco products (snuff or chewing tobacco) are associated with cancers of
the cheek, gums, and inner surface of the lips, as well as gum disease, destruction of the bone sockets around teeth,
and tooth loss.
A more beautiful, more welcoming campus
The IUPUC campus has undergone many positive changes the past few years, including the construction of the Learning
Center, the remodeling and redecorating of much of the main IUPUC building, and the installation of a sculpture
garden as part of IUPUC University Park.
Prohibiting smoking and tobacco usage improves the architectural beauty of campus by removing visible ashtrays and
improves the cleanliness of our environment by reducing the number of discarded cigarettes and the amount of smokeless
tobacco waste. Together, this promotes a more welcoming environment in which to work, study, and visit.
Compliance with IU policy
In February 2007, the Trustees and the president of Indiana University mandated that smoking and the sale of tobacco
products would be prohibited on all university property no later than January 1, 2008. As an IU campus, IUPUC must
comply with this policy.
IUPUC is working with Columbus Regional Hospital to offer smoking cessation counseling to our employees at no charge
and to our students for a nominal fee. The CRH Smoking Cessation Program is a five-week program with classes meeting
one or two hours each week and includes free nicotine patches. For more information, contact Kim Shewmaker at 812-314-8626
or krshewma iupuc.edu.
The IUPUI Human Resources Administration “Commit to Quit” Web site is another great resource for those who want to quit
smoking. The site addresses some frequently asked questions about medical coverage and tax saver benefits, as well as
provides numerous local and national resources for information and assistance for those who are trying to quit. Go to
http://www.hra.iupui.edu/committoquit.asp.
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