Smoke, Tobacco, and Nicotine-Free Campus Policy
From Father Graham's letter to the campus community on March 18, 2019.
"As part of a continuing commitment to the health and well-being of all on our campus, I am pleased to announce that on Monday, Feb. 25, the President’s Cabinet approved a Smoke, Tobacco, and Nicotine-Free Campus Policy. It will go into effect on July 1, 2019. Xavier joins a growing list of colleges and universities nationwide, more than 2,300 in fact, with similar policies.
Studies show that smoke, tobacco and nicotine-free policies have a positive impact on the health and well-being of a community. They can help current users quit, prevent others from starting, eliminate secondhand exposure, and influence attitudes toward tobacco and nicotine use."
- Read the full Smoke, Tobacco, and Nicotine Free Campus Policy.
- View the campus map of university owned or leased property covered by the Policy.
- Access support and resources to help stop using smoke, tobacco, and/or nicotine products.
- View answers to frequently asked questions about the Policy.
Resources to Help Stop Using Smoke, Tobacco, and/or Nicotine Products
Resources for Employees
To support employees who want to stop using tobacco and/or nicotine products, Xavier is offering the "Quit and Stay Quit Wellness Coaching" service - individual coaching designed to help individuals remain accountable to their goal of quitting the use of tobacco. Contact Brad Clark, Wellness Coordinator, for information on the coaching service at xavierwellbeing@trihealth.com or 513-977-0054.
Resources for Students
Kaity Rowe, Wellbeing and Coaching Coordinator, offers free tobacco / nicotine cessation coaching to students. Students desiring to take advantage of the free cessation coaching resource should contact Kaity directly at 513-745-3171 or rowek3@xavier.edu.
View a flier from UnitedHealthcare for the Student Health Insurance Plan on what is covered for medications and / or nicotine replacement therapy. It details over-the-counter and prescription drugs available, as well as the process for getting these drugs at no cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is Xavier University becoming a Smoke, Tobacco, and Nicotine Free Campus?
A: Becoming a smoke, tobacco, and nicotine free campus aligns with the Jesuit philosophy of Cura Personalis and supports our University wide commitment to wellbeing. The Surgeon General of the United States has declared that tobacco use is the nation’s leading preventable cause of premature death and disability. Additionally, there is no safe level of exposure to second-hand smoke. Finally, The Surgeon General has issued an advisory on the dangers of electronic cigarettes.
Q: What tobacco and nicotine delivery products are prohibited under the Policy?
A: Tobacco and nicotine delivery products include cigarettes (cloves, bidis, kreteks), e-cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, pipes, water pipes, vape pens, personal vaporizers, electronic nicotine delivery systems (excluding FDA approved cessation medication), JUUL devices, hookah products, any other smoking product; as well as any smokeless, spit or spitless, dissolvable, or inhaled tobacco products, including but not limited to dip, chew, snuff, or snus, in any form (orbs, sticks, strips, pellets, etc.).
Q: Why are e-cigarettes, including JUUL e-cigarettes, covered by the Policy?
A: Electronic cigarettes known as e-cigarettes and JUUL devices are battery-operated products designed to deliver nicotine, flavor and other chemicals. They turn chemicals, including highly addictive nicotine, into an aerosol that is inhaled by the user. The Surgeon General has declared e-cigarette use by youth a public health epidemic and urged the inclusion of e-cigarettes in smoke/tobacco free policies.
Q: What areas of the campus will the Policy cover?
A: The policy includes all Xavier owned or leased property, except for owned property that is leased to another, such as University Station property. See the campus map (provide link to campus map)
Q: Can I smoke in my personal vehicle when it’s parked on campus?
A: No, vehicles parked on Xavier owned or leased property, except for owned property that is leased to another are covered by the Policy.
Q: Will there be designated smoking areas on campus?
A: Designated smoking areas are not consistent with the philosophy of the Policy. The Smoke, Tobacco, and Nicotine Free Campus Policy is intended to create a healthy environment to live, work, and learn. Smoking areas send a message that tobacco and nicotine delivery systems use is acceptable. Designated smoking areas also create confusion and are a compliance challenge. In fact, rarely do people comply with designated smoking areas.
Q: What about smoking or using nicotine delivery products on the sidewalks around campus?
A: Sidewalks that are within the Xavier campus, such as Francis Xavier Way, are covered by the Policy. The Policy does not cover public sidewalks on the outside or perimeter of campus such as those on Dana Avenue and Victory Parkway.
Q: How will the Policy affect Xavier’s neighbors?
A: Xavier has a very positive relationship with our neighbors and we ask our students, employees, and visitors to help maintain that relationship, specifically in this case by asking the members of our community who choose to use tobacco and nicotine products to do so respectfully and to not litter on neighboring property.
Q: How will the Policy be enforced?
A: All members of the Xavier community are encouraged and empowered to identify and address those in violation of this Policy. It is the responsibility of supervisors to facilitate and enforce compliance among all employees under their supervision. Students’ compliance will be enforced through the Dean of Students. Campus Police will enforce compliance of campus visitors.
Consequences of violating the Policy will follow existing discipline processes. Reports of violations by students will be addressed through the student conduct process facilitated by the Dean of Students; staff, by his or her supervisor; faculty by the dean of his or her college. Visitors refusing to comply with the Policy may be asked to leave the campus.
Q: If I see someone violating the Policy what should I say to them?
A: If a member of the Xavier community observes someone violating the Policy, if comfortable doing so, in a friendly, respectful manner remind them of the Policy. One might say, “You may not be aware, but Xavier is a smoke, tobacco, and nicotine free campus. All students, employees, and visitors are prohibited from smoking and using tobacco products and nicotine delivery systems on University property. Thanks for your cooperation.”
Q: What sanctions will be placed upon visitors? What about individuals who are attending athletic events?
A: All University sponsored events will be covered by the Policy. Visitors will be asked to comply and, if they do not, they may be removed from campus.
Q: What other universities are smoke, tobacco and/or nicotine free?
A: A complete list of tobacco and smoke free universities is available online here: Explore the Complete List of Tobacco and Smoke-Free Universitiesf.
Q: What cessation services are available for those who want to quit?
A: Xavier Wellbeing will coordinate support for employees and students. Employees who are utilizing Xavier offered health care through Anthem can get support through Anthem.com. The McGrath Health and Wellness Center has available resources for students who want to quit smoking. The Tri-Health’s wellness coaches will be offering individualized cessation coaching.