IUPUI Campus Becomes Tobacco Free August 14

INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis is tearing down its smoker’s stations and hanging up its “Tobacco-Free IUPUI” signs.

Beginning Monday (August 14), IUPUI will be a tobacco-free campus.

The use or sale of any tobacco product – cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, snuff – will be prohibited on IUPUI property and in IUPUI vehicles.

With the new policy, administrators say the campus is taking a leadership role in promoting good health. IUPUI, the state’s academic health sciences campus, is among one of about 25 universities to establish such a comprehensive plan banning the sale or use of all tobacco products campuswide.

“As Indiana’s health science campus, it is IUPUI’s responsibility to lead the way to a healthier Indiana,” said IUPUI Chancellor Charles R. Bantz. “This June, the U.S. Surgeon General confirmed there is no safe level of exposure to second-hand smoke. By becoming tobacco-free, IUPUI will both help prevent disease and help educate about the risks of tobacco.”

Under the guidance of the Tobacco Free Committee, the campus is conducting an extensive awareness program in order to achieve high levels of compliance with the new policy. New students have received postcards and e-mails about the new policy. Signs and posters on building doors and campus bulletin boards advise employees, students and the general public of the new policy.

Information on the new tobacco policy, along with information on smoking cessation, is available online at www.tobaccofree.iupui.edu.

Violations of the tobacco policy will be handled in the same manner as all other policy infractions, with incidents referred to the appropriate governing body, said IUPUI Vice Chancellor for Student Life and Diversity and Dean of Students Karen Whitney.