UHCL becomes a smoke-free campus Aug. 1

The University Life Committee approved a new policy April 13, 2017, banning the use of all tobacco products on campus. This includes cigarettes, e-cigs, vapes, cigars, hookah, pipes and any other type of smoking material and smokeless tobacco products. The policy will go into effect Aug. 1.

Enforcing the policy will rely on UHCL students, staff and faculty to help educate one another and guests with regards to the campus’ new smoking policy.

“Students caught smoking on campus, in most cases, will be simply asked to refrain from using the item in question,” said David Rachita, dean of students. “If this person refuses to cease this activity or repeats this activity in the future, they will be responsible to the Student Code of Conduct. If found responsible, sanctions could range from a written warning to suspension.  The UHCL Police Department would be brought into the scenario if the student or person refuses to cooperate with the instructions from any university official.”

The new policy prohibits tobacco products from being used anywhere on campus except inside personal vehicles.

“UHCL will be completely smoke and tobacco-free in all buildings and on all grounds that includes the residence hall,” said Amy Snyder, director of student housing and residential life.

To help inform the entire UHCL community that the policy will come into effect next semester, emails and flyers have been sent and posted around the school by a group of students in Anna Klyueva’s, assistant professor of communication, public relation’s campaigns class. Their goal is to raise awareness before the policy officially goes into effect.

“It’s important to raise awareness about the upcoming policy change for the UHCL community to prepare and take the appropriate actions as we transition,” Klyueva said. “We have a summer to make sure everybody knows that all tobacco products are going to be banned. It gives smokers the opportunity to figure out their options.”

Some students are aware already that the policy is going into effect next fall and have strong opinions on the matter.

“Personally, I’m still opposed to the policy because people should be able to do what they want,” said Douglas Williams, physics major. “The falloff from banning smoking, I think, is going to create a lot more mess in a lot more places rather than having it all concentrated in designated smoking areas. Smokers are still going to smoke cigarettes because it is a physical and psychological addiction.”

One option current smokers have is to quit smoking before the fall semester begins. The students, staff and faculty who choose to take this route may exhibit withdrawals.

“Withdrawal from nicotine can be unpleasant and stressful, however, they are temporary, said Christine Henry, licensed chemical dependency counselor. “Most symptoms peak after 48 hours and subside over the next 3 to 4 weeks. Those symptoms may include: irritability, anxiety, insomnia, tingling in hands and feet, headaches, depression to name a few. A person may have their productivity impacted during that time, but overall their levels of productivity should go up once the nicotine is out of their system.”

The only area smokers are allowed to smoke is inside their personal vehicles. For smokers who may struggle with the policy change, there are places inside and outside of the university that are capable of helping them during this transitional period.

“UHCL Counseling Center will be available to help students should they experience adverse experiences as a result of having to reduce or cease smoking as a result of not being able to smoke on campus,” Henry said.

Though this will be a new shift for UHCL, Rachita points out it is quite normal at hundreds of universities and colleges across the nation, including the University of Houston.

“There will undoubtedly be some growing pains, but we know that our students, employees, and visitors will respect and abide by this new policy,” Rachita said. “The University believes that this change will continue to develop the UHCL community into a safe, healthy, and comfortable environment for all to be successful within and enjoy.”

Additional resources can be found at:

https://www.uhcl.edu/campus-life/health-wellness/health-services/quit-smoking