ABOUT
The University of Kentucky's Tobacco-free Policy
Many people at UK that are aware of the tobacco policy think of it as "don't smoke on campus". While this is one part of it, in order to increase the enforcement and impact of the policy, there needs to be more of an understanding of what the policy is and what it does.
Background of the Policy
UK has defined itself as a “tobacco free campus” with a tobacco policy that says that no tobacco products can be used on campus. On the official policy itself, improving public health and reducing the risk of fires on campus are the reasons listed to why the policy was put into place. No-tobacco policies had already been put into place for UK’s medical facilities a year prior, and on November 19, 2009 this was extended to the whole campus. This is not a random date, as this was at the same time as the American Cancer Society’s Great American Smokeout. The University has also partnered with various organizations to promote a healthier environment for Kentucky by reducing tobacco usage.
Breakdown of the Policy
Information about the policy and other related facts can be found on the University of Kentucky's Tobacco Free page at https://www.uky.edu/TobaccoFree/. The full tobacco policy for UK can be found here, however a condensed version is probably easier to read. Additionally, there is this brochure made by the University which gives a lot of information regarding the policy.
Products covered by the policy
The policy covers all forms of tobacco, with the only exceptions being products approved by the FDA for treating dependence on nicotine/tobacco. Although some may disagree with this part, this does not include any kind of e-cigarette which are explicitly banned. The policy prohibits what it calls an “electronic smoking device” which includes anything that makes a vapor or aerosol containing some sort of substance that is inhaled.
Location
All the land that the University owns or is used in Fayette county is covered by the policy and everyone on campus must comply. Even the inside of your own vehicle is technically covered if you are on campus. Even in places outside of Fayette County that are part of the University, smoking is not allowed inside or within 20 feet of an opening in the building, such as doors or windows. However, smoking can be allowed in places that the University owns but is used by someone else. However, the Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration must first approve the use. The map below shows the exact area that the policy covers on campus.
Tobacco-free Campus Boundaries
Exceptions to the policy
There are a few exceptions that are made about the no tobacco policy. One of these is research involving tobacco, which can be done with approval from a few different officials. The policy says that research must be done in a laboratory setting and the smoke must be filtered out using a fume hood. The other exception for tobacco use on campus is using it for ceremonies or traditions. Once again, approval must be granted from a University official. In either of these cases, if smoking is done the University Fire Marshall must give their approval.
What is already being done?
Enforcement
This is the area of the policy that we feel can and should be improved. On the Tobacco-free portion of the University of Kentucky website, there is an online form anyone can fill out to report violations of the tobacco policy. The information asked for includes descriptions of who violated the policy and the time and place that it occurred. There is also a volunteer group, Tobacco-free Take Action! that is focused on informing people about the policy and stopping violations of the policy. To make approaching people about the policy easier, they have an example of a prewritten script that can be used to have a precise and polite way to deal with violations of the policy.
Treatments
For people that want to get help to quit smoking, the University offers a few different services. There are programs that are focused on helping people quit tobacco products that are provided free for one class. This is available for students and employees of the University as well as select other people. Nicotine products are also available to buy at select University of Kentucky medical facilities and convenience stores.