Le Moyne College Becomes a Tobacco-Free Campus
Effective July 1, 2015, Le Moyne has adopted a tobacco-free policy that prohibits smoking and the use of any tobacco products on all property owned, leased or operated by the College.
"This policy will reduce the health risks related to smoking, second-hand smoke and tobacco usage for the campus community," said Anne Kearney, director of Le Moyne's Wellness Center for Health and Counseling. "We are excited about what this means for not only our students, but also employees, parents and any visitors to campus."
The move to become a tobacco-free campus began in 2011, when Le Moyne’s Student Government Association (SGA) contacted the College's administration regarding the possibility of changing the smoking policy to explore eliminating the use of tobacco products. A study team was developed comprised of employees, students and representatives of Sodexo, Excellus and the American Cancer Society to research the issue and make recommendations to the President’s Council.
During the summer of 2012, faculty, staff, administrators and students were surveyed regarding their tobacco use and whether or not they would support a policy change. The team also researched other colleges and universities that had already adopted smoke-free/tobacco-free policies and other agencies regarding policy trends and options. In 2013, the SGA voted on a resolution to adopt a tobacco-free policy -- in addition to the ban on the use of tobacco products, the resolution also called for communications and support for those who want to quit smoking. Over the past two years tobacco cessation classes have been held on campus and a number of students and staff have been been trained as cessation counselors to support those wishing to quit.
The ban on tobacco products includes all indoor and outdoor campus spaces including but not limited to campus buildings grounds, exterior open spaces, parking lots, on-campus sidewalks, streets, driveways, athletic facilities, practice facilities, recreational spaces and in all College owned or operated vehicles.
Smoking is defined as the burning of tobacco or any other material in any type of smoking equipment, including but not limited to cigarettes, cigars, pipes, hookahs, e-cigarette devices and electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS). Tobacco products are defined as any and all forms of tobacco and smokeless tobacco, including but not limited to cigarettes, cigars, snuff, dipping tobaccos, pouches, dissolvable tobaccos, tobacco waters and pastes.