A Smoke- and Tobacco-Free UAlbany

UAlbany received $20,000 from the American Cancer Society and CVS Health Foundation as part of their national "Tobacco-Free Generation Campus Initiative." (Image: American Cancer Society/CVS Health Foundation)

ALBANY, N.Y. (Sept. 25, 2018) – Beginning in January, the University at Albany will become 100 percent smoke- and tobacco-free, joining more than 1,700 colleges and universities across the nation that have committed to improving the health and well-being of their campus communities.

The American Cancer Society and the CVS Health Foundation have awarded the University $20,000 to help fund its initiative. The grant is part of the organizations’ national initiative to help higher education institutions implement smoke- and tobacco-free campus policies.

There will be an open forum held at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 26, in Campus Center room 375. Attendees will learn more about the policy, currently in the development phase, and will have the opportunity to ask questions and offer feedback. Additional open forums are being held:

• Thursday, Oct. 4, 4 p.m. - 6 p.m., School of Public Health, Room 110 (Health Sciences Campus)
• Tuesday, Oct. 9, 4 p.m. - 6 p.m., Milne, Room 200 (Downtown Campus)

University President Havidán Rodríguez announced in April that starting in the new year, UAlbany will prohibit the use of all tobacco products, including cigars, cigarettes, pipes, hookahs, all forms of smokeless tobacco and other smoking devices, such as vapor and electronic cigarettes.

Support Across the University

The decision to become smoke- and tobacco-free was made following recommendations from two presidential working groups and based on the University’s commitment to the health and well-being of our students, faculty and staff, as well as the thousands of visitors who come to our campus each year, said Rodríguez.

A 21-member steering committee comprised of student, faculty and staff representatives across the University’s three campuses worked with University administration in the research and development of the policy. In addition, the steering committee broke into teams focusing on cessation and craving management, policy monitoring, research and evaluation, student and staff training and communication and awareness. Members of the committee will be present at the Sept. 26 forum.

Cessation Resources

Acknowledging that the new policy will pose a challenge to some members of the UAlbany community, resources are immediately available to those seeking to manage their tobacco use.

“Understanding the challenge this change may pose to some members of our campus community, we are offering educational services to students and employees who wish to end or manage their tobacco use,” said Rodríguez in his April announcement. “To help support this endeavor, we have launched a smoke- and tobacco-free website which contains information about cessation resources and the health and environmental benefits of a tobacco-free campus.”

The policy will apply to students, faculty, staff and people on campus, regardless of the purpose for their visit. All events hosted by UAlbany and by outside groups in University facilities will be tobacco-free.

For more information and resources to manage tobacco use, click here.

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