19. Why did the University of Guelph choose to become a smoke-free campus?
To counter the negative effects of tobacco use on our University community, U of G developed a Tobacco- and Smoke-Free Campus policy that takes effect May 31, 2019.
In 2017, the University of Guelph formally adopted the Okanagan Charter: An International Charter for Health-Promoting Universities and Colleges. Through the Charter, U of G reaffirms its commitment to “transforming the health and sustainability of our current and future societies, strengthening communities, and contributing to the well-being of people, places and the planet.” Creating a smoke-free campus is an important step in meeting that commitment.
The first call to action from the Charter involves “embedding health into all aspects of our campus culture, across the administration, operations and academic mandates.” The Charter also encourages us to lead health promotion locally and globally (Okanagan Charter, 2015).
As a University committed to improving life, we consider it important to foster an environment, policies and practices that support the health of our students, staff, faculty and visitors.
Smoking remains the single greatest cause of preventable disease and death in the province, killing about 13,000 Ontarians each year (SFO Modernization, 2017). Research shows there is no safe level of exposure to second-hand smoke, even outdoors (World Health Organization, 2003). To counter the negative effects of tobacco product use on our University community, U of G will develop a smoke-free campus policy.
Through a smoke-free campus initiative, there are opportunities to:
- promote clean air, a healthful environment and healthy behavioural choices
- prevent students from starting to smoke
- encourage those who use tobacco products to quit or decrease use and support those who have quit (CYAN, 2016).
References
California Youth Advocacy Network (CYAN). Tobacco-Free Policy Rationale: Information for Colleges and Universities Considering Adopting a Tobacco-Free Policy. [Internet]. 2016 [cited 2018 Feb 16]. Available from: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/582cd52d2994caad8bdc9000/t/58796f5429687f8f4b982d53/1484353377578/CYAN+Tobacco+Free+Policy+Rationale+2016+Update.pdf
Executive Steering Committee. Smoke-Free Ontario Modernization: Report of the Executive Steering Committee. [Internet]. 2017 October. [cited 2018 March 1]. Available from: http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/common/ministry/publications/reports/sfo_modernization_esc_2017/sfo_modernization_esc_report.pdf
Okanagan Charter: An International Charter for Health-Promoting Universities and Colleges. [Internet]. 2015 [cited 2018 March 1]. Available from http://internationalhealthycampuses2015.sites.olt.ubc.ca/files/2016/01/Okanagan-Charter-January13v2.pdf
World Health Organization. (2003). Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. Geneva, Switzerland.