The use, sale, distribution, or advertising of tobacco products is prohibited on the university campus. Also, no university publication can accept any form of advertising of tobacco products. In addition, no organization sanctioned by the university will be able to accept money or sponsorships from companies or other entities engaged in the manufacturing of tobacco producs; moreover, the university cannot accept gifts or grants from tobacco companies.

Why did UCO go tobacco-free?

UCO is committed to providing its students, faculty, staff and visitors with a healthy, clean and safe environment - in which to work, live and learn.

A tobacco-free campus protects everyone from the health dangers related to secondhand smoke. This is significant in light of the latest U.S. Surgeon General's report, "The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke," which concludes that no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke exists.

A tobacco-free campus demonstrates responsible stewardship of our environment by reducing litter, eliminating smoke-filled areas at building entrances and reducing associated fire danger.

A tobacco-free campus also serves as a positive example for others - especially secondary school students and children on our campus. Lastly, a tobacco-free campus supports the public health efforts of our community, state and nation. Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death in Oklahoma.

How will students, employees, visitors and the community know about the Tobacco Free policy?

Various campus departments will coordinate university efforts for policy notification, education, promotion, support and assessment to ensure successful implementation.

Just a few examples of policy communication and awareness efforts include: door and sidewalk decals; campus-wide e-mail blasts; a designated web-site; a Facebook group; policy information announced and distributed during Enrollment Central; New Student Orientation; New Employee Orientation; New Faculty Orientation; and health education and cessation programs.

Isn't smoking a legal right?

Court rulings maintain that tobacco users do not have the legal right to expose others to secondhand smoke, a Class-A carcinogen, and they are not entitled to protection against discrimination as "addicts" or as "disabled persons".

Are you trying to dictate people's lifestyle choices?

UCO is asking people to refrain from tobacco use - for example, adapt their behaviors - while they are on the UCO campus and its properties.

Does the UCO Tobacco-Free Campus Policy apply to chewing tobacco and other forms of tobacco?

Yes. The tobacco policy prohibits the use of all forms of tobacco, including: cigarettes, cigars, pipes, chewing tobacco, snuff and all other forms of tobacco prepared in such a manner to be suitable for spit tobacco use, smoking, or both. The policy also prohibits the use of herbal tobacco products, simulated tobacco products that imitate or mimic tobacco products, including but not limited to cloves, bidis, kreteks, and electronic cigarettes.

Are UCO students, employees and visitors prohibited from brining tobacco products on campus?

The policy does not prohibit the possession of tobacco products on campus.

Who does the tobacco-free policy apply to?

The tobacco-free policy applies to everyone on UCO's campus - including employees, faculty, staff, students, guests, spectators, visitors, volunteers, contractors, subcontractors, vendors and any other individual providing any type of product or service to the university.

What about students and employees located in off-campus buildings?

The tobacco-free campus policy extends to all UCO campuses and facilities. All students, visitors and employees will be expected to support and adhere to the policy.

What areas of campus will the tobacco-free policy cover?

The policy includes any and all UCO-owned, leased, rented, or maintained property, including, but not limited to: buildings, facilities, sidewalks, roadways, parking lots and grounds. In addition, the policy includes all University owned, leased, or rented vehicles. The policy also includes off-campus facilities and property, including but not limited to: the Center for Outdoor Adventure Recreation, the UCO Jazz Lab and the ACM at UCO.

Are there any designated smoking areas on campus for students, visitors, faculty and staff to use?

Offering designated smoking areas does not support UCO's goal of creating a healthy, clean and safe environment for everyone.

In addition, the majority of smokers self-report a strong desire to quit smoking. UCO is working to eliminate the triggers, like designated tobacco use areas, that make tobacco cessation difficult.

What about smoking and/or tobacco use on sidewalks on and around campus?

UCO controls all sidewalks on campus, whether next to the road or not. Therefore, the tobacco-free policy applies to sidewalks on or around the perimeter of campus.

Can people smoke or use tobacco in personal vehicles while on campus?

The use of tobacco products is prohibited on campus. This includes use in vehicles parked on UCO's campus properties and in our parking lots, garages and green areas.

What will UCO do about people leaving the campus or going across the street or into neighboring properties to smoke?

The UCO community asks our students and employees to help maintain a positive relationship with our neighbors, and to respect neighboring properties outside the campus. Tobacco use and smoking off campus does not give anyone permission to litter, loiter or trespass on private or public property. Property owners have the right to enforce their boundaries, including trespass warnings and requesting police action.

How will the tobacco-free policy be enforced?

The success of this policy will depend on the thoughtfulness, consideration and cooperation of tobacco users and non tobacco users. Faculty, staff and students have a collective responsibility to promote the safety and health of the campus community, and therefore share in the responsibility of enforcement. Individuals observed smoking or using tobacco products are to be reminded in a professional and courteous manner of the university policy. Non-compliance of the tobacco policy will be handled through existing campus processes.

What will happen to employees, students and visitors who do not comply with the tobacco-free policy?

Employees who choose not to cooperate or repeatedly violate university policy will be reported to their supervisor. The supervisor will be responsible for enforcing the work place rules for their staff. If an employee repeatedly violates the tobacco-free policy, another employee can report him or her to a supervisor. UCO will follow standard employee disciplinary procedures for compliance problems to include verbal correction, written warning, investigatory leave and final written warning.

Students who choose not to cooperate or repeatedly violate university policy may be subject to one or more sanctions, for example: warnings, community service assignments, housing contract cancellations and ultimately temporary or permanent dismissal from the university, in which all may apply to this type of policy infraction - pending an investigation and a consideration of conduct history.

Visitors may be asked by the UCO Department of Police Services to leave university premises for failure to comply.

How do you file a complaint on a student, employee or visitor whom you have seen using tobacco products on campus?

Complaints regarding violations of the tobacco-free policy will be handled through existing campus processes.

Non-compliant issues for students residing in university housing will be directed to and handled by Housing & Dining Services (Josh Deacon @ 974-2760 or jdeacon@uco.edu). If the violation merits such action, the complaint may be escalated to the Office of Student Conduct. All other student compliance issues will be directed and handled by the Office of Student Conduct.

Complaints about students for a policy violation may be filed by visiting the Office of Student Conduct in Lillard Administration Building, room 211 or 213, and filing a paper complaint in person. A complaint may also be filed by visiting www.uco.edu/conduct then clicking on "File a Complaint," and following related instructions.

Complaints about faculty for a policy violation will be directed and handled by the Office of Academic Affairs (Dr. Pat LaGrow @ 974-3371 or plagrow@uco.edu).

Complaints about staff for a policy violation will be directed and handled by the Office of Employee Relations & Development (Diane Feinberg @ 974-2658 or dfeinberg@uco.edu).

What campus resources are available for UCO students and employees who wish to stop using tobacco products?

A wide selection of medical services, counseling services, self-help materials and medicines are available today to help smokers and tobacco users quit successfully. The Wellness Center, Student Counseling Center, the Mercy Clinic at UCO, and the Employee Assistance Program provide cessation help and support.

What other community resources are available?

Students and employees are encouraged to call the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline at (800) 784-8669. the helpline is available Monday through Sunday from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. for cessation assistance. The helpline offers "quit coaching," specialized materials, and referrals. Eligible participants may also receive free nicotine patches or gum.

Has there been an impact on enrollment as a result of UCO's tobacco-free policy?

UCO hit record enrollment in the fall of 2010 with more than 17,000 students - only a few months after becoming a tobacco-free campus. It is anticipated that the promotion of Central as an active, vibrant and healthy campus community will increase interest in University enrollment.

Ty Patterson, Director of the Center for Excellence for Tobacco-Free Campuses, who has helped numerous higher education institutions over the country go tobacco-free, says he has "not found one (university) that has identified a decline in enrollment" due to the implementation of a smoke-free or tobacco-free policy.