User:Chcrowley

Smoking Ban
The President's Cabinet, in the summer of 2008, voted unanimously to approve a new campus smoking policy which would ban smoking on-campus completely except for two designated smoking areas, one at Lone Mountain and one at lower campus in the garden between the Gillson and Phelan residence halls. This action by USF is a trend in a new initiative in colleges across the country to take action in making campuses smoke free. In August of 2000 the American College Health Association (ACHA) issued a statement to all connected institutions to support their Tobacco Policy which would call for campus wide smoke free atmospheres. USF is now one of more than 500 universities in the country that have anti-smoking policies.

The Designated Smoke Free Campus Policy issued by USF states:

"Smoking is no longer permitted anywhere within the boundaries of University-owned or leased property and vehicles with the exception of two designated smoking areas, one on main campus and one on Lone Mountain. After a transition period of two years, these two designated areas will be evaluated as the campus completes the transition toward a smoke free environment. The existing prohibition on the sale and promotion of tobacco products on the campus will continue. The University will make available smoking cessation programs to students, staff, and faculty to facilitate the transition to a smoke-free life."

According to USF President Fr. Stephen Privett "Restricting smoking on the Hilltop protects the health and well-being of all who live, work, study or visit the campus. Keeping our air smoke-free will require some individuals to sacrifice for the good of us all."[]

The policy, which was two years in the making, was implemented for not only the safety of smokers, but also non-smokers alike. According to the American Lung Association second hand smoke has officially been recognized as a cause for cancer and can lead to heart disease for children and adults who do not smoke among other health defects. Smoking, which is the leading single cause of preventable premature deaths, is estimated to take the lives of 500,000 people annually with 53,000 of those deaths affecting nonsmokers. According to a 2002 study, by the Harvard School of Public Health and the Massachusetts General Hospital, 46 percent of college students use tobacco products, and that number will continue to rise. USF is currently offering cessation programs and other awareness and educational opportunities to help students quit.

Since the ban is in its' early transitional stage there are currently no fines or citations being issued to those who are in violation.