West Virginia University Health Sciences Campus is now tobacco free, marking the first of WVU’s campuses to join tobacco-free efforts.
The decision came after the University’s Board of Governors approved a policy banning smoking on the Health Science Center Campus Friday at its meeting in Charleston.
The approval came because of “widespread” support from employees and students, according to a WVU press release.
No tobacco in any form will permitted in any areas, specifically sidewalks, roads, parking areas and green spaces, inside or outside the Health Sciences Campus.
Signs will be installed to alert visitors to the change, and the Wellness program at the HSC will provide nicotine replacement therapy and counseling to to WVU employees and spouses who are West Virginia residents.
The policy change was presented to the BOG by Health Sciences Center Chancellor Christopher Colenda in February.
“We are obligated, as West Virginia’s leading institution for health, to set an example for others,” Colenda said, in a press release. “Eliminating the use of tobacco and the exposure of our employees, students and visitors to second-hand smoke isn’t just the popular thing to do – it’s the right thing to do.”
University Health Associates and WVU Hospitals adopted anti-smoking policies in November, aligning with existing regulations at the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health.
University President James P. Clements appointed a task force in December to update the previous campus-wide smoking policy, established in 1990. The issue was brought up after the Student Government Association passed a resolution supporting a change of policy in February 2009.
Task force member Abby Sobonya lobbied to implement a state-wide smoking ban at all hospitals and health sciences campuses.
She said evidence indicated a campus-wide smoking ban would not be feasible but believed cessation programs would increase any smoking ban’s chance of success. She used the shortcomings of the Pennsylvania state-wide smoking ban as an example.
“It didn’t work out,” Sobonya said. “It was due to, if you don’t have a way to stop, how can you stop cold turkey.”
The organization Students for Sensible Drug Policy opposes the passage of such a ban.
“The basic question I would ask is ‘What right does the University have to do this,’” said Daniel Shapirio, associate professor of philosophy and the faculty adviser for the SSDP. “It’s an infringement on individual rights to tell adults they have no right to smoke outdoors.”
By Devon Unger
Thedaonline, June 9, 2010
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