Background
St. Olaf College is committed to providing a healthy and safe campus environment for its students, faculty, staff, and visitors.
Substantial research demonstrates the damaging effects of tobacco on users and persons who experience second-hand smoke as a result of that use. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, “Almost no one starts smoking after age 25. Nearly 9 out of 10 smokers started smoking by age 18, and 99% started by age 26. Progression from occasional to daily smoking almost always occurs by age 26.” Tobacco is the leading cause of preventable death in the U.S., killing an estimated 443,000 annually (Health and Human Services, 2014). Exposure to second-hand smoke causes more than 50,000 deaths annually (Health and Human Services, 2014).
No. In fact, St. Olaf College is behind many of its peers both locally and across the nation. The American College Health Association recommends that all colleges and universities adopt a tobacco-free policy. According to the American Cancer Society, all U.S. colleges and universities prohibit smoking in campus buildings, and as of January 2, 2020, there are 2,062 campuses that have gone tobacco-free. Four states (Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, and Louisiana) have enacted laws that require smoke-free policies prohibiting smoking in all indoor and outdoor areas of public college campuses. Iowa extends the law to include private institutions. Some of our peer institutions that are smoke and/or tobacco-free include Augustana University, Colorado College, Cornell College, Grinnell College, Gustavus Adolphus College, Hamline University, Knox College, Lake Forest College, and Macalester College.
We are proud to add St. Olaf College to the long list of other colleges and universities that have made the same commitment to the health and safety of our campus communities.
St. Olaf had put together a working group in 2018 to begin the process of reviewing the existing smoking policy on campus and provide recommendations on a path forward for reducing/eliminating smoking on campus. The working group was spearheaded by our Environmental Health and Safety Office with members from across campus, including students, Facilities, Athletics, Residence Life, Wellness Center, Admissions, Nursing, Human Resources, Dean of Students, Chemistry, Student Activities, and representatives from Rice County. The culmination of this work was submitted in March 2020 before the COVID-19 pandemic was in full swing. Now that we have successfully concluded the fall semester, it is time to pick up this important work and move this wellness initiative forward for the greater good of the community.
Over the years there have been various complaints ranging from people smoking too close to doorways forcing other employees to walk through smoke, smoking receptacles being moved closer to entrances, cigarette butts littering the campus, etc. The Environmental Health and Safety group was asked to put a team together to look into our current smoking policy and recommend a new policy if necessary.
No. The working group recommended a new smoking policy that was more specific and included designated smoking areas outside most campus buildings as well as no vaping in any college building. The President’s Leadership Team, in the midst of working to keep our community safe and healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic, also decided to implement a tobacco-free policy that furthers the health and safety of all students, employees, vendors, and visitors.
Tobacco-Free Policy Specifics (effective 9/1/21)
The policy prohibits the use of any item containing tobacco intended for human consumption, including cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, and smokeless tobacco. The policy also includes the use of any vapor product. Hookahs are not permitted anywhere on campus.
St. Olaf College will be a tobacco-free campus effective September 1, 2021.
No. If the vehicle is on St. Olaf’s campus, it cannot be used as a designated tobacco use area. You can use tobacco products off campus. We ask that all St. Olaf faculty, staff, students, vendors, and visitors show respect to our neighbors by refraining from trespassing on private property to use tobacco.
The inhaling or exhaling of smoke from any lighted or heated cigar, cigarette, electronic smoking device, pipe, or any other lighted or heated tobacco or plant product. Smoking also includes burning or carrying a lighted or heated cigar, cigarette, pipe, or any other lighted or heated tobacco or plant product intended for inhalation.
Tobacco or tobacco products mean any substance or item containing tobacco leaf, including but not limited to cigarettes; cigars; pipe tobacco; snuff; snus; fine cut or other chewing tobacco; cheroots; stogies; perique; granulated, plug cut, crimp cut, ready-rubbed, and other smoking tobacco; snuff flowers; cavendish; shorts; plug and twist tobaccos; dipping tobaccos; refuse scraps, clippings, cuttings, and sweepings of tobacco; and other kinds and forms of tobacco leaf prepared in such manner as to be suitable for chewing, sniffing, or smoking. Tobacco and tobacco products also include any products containing, made, or derived from tobacco that is intended for human consumption, whether chewed, smoked, absorbed, dissolved, inhaled, snorted, sniffed, or ingested by any other means, or any component, part, or accessory of a tobacco product. Tobacco excludes any tobacco product that has been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for sale as a tobacco cessation product, as a tobacco dependence product, or for other medical purposes, and is being marketed and sold solely for such an approved purpose.
Enforcement
Enforcement of this policy will be “community-based,” in which the entire campus community is responsible for asking tobacco users in violation to abide by the policy.
Repeated violations of this policy will be handled, as applicable, through the Dean of Students Office, Human Resources, or the Office of the Provost and Dean of the College.
We encourage using a kind, thoughtful, and educational approach when someone is seen violating the policy.
Example: “Hello, my name is _______ (your name) and I am a(n) ________ (position) here at St. Olaf. Are you aware that we do not allow tobacco use on campus? I ask you to please respect our policy and stop your use of ________ (tobacco product) on campus. Thank you for complying with our policy.”
Exceptions to this policy may be allowed by the Environmental Health and Safety department for ceremonial or other special purposes.
- Exceptions may include peer-reviewed, approved scientific studies related to the health effects of smoking, sanctioned and formally approved by the College; or
- Theatrical productions approved by the College and where actors and actresses are permitted to smoke as part of the theatrical performance. Notice of smoking in a performance must be given to patrons in advance and will be included in the performance programs.
Miscellaneous
Tobacco and smoking are harmful to human health, although the use of tobacco is a personal choice. Tobacco policies in a workplace and living/learning environment is not uncommon. Court rulings maintain that tobacco users do not have the legal right to expose others to second-hand smoke, which is considered a Class A carcinogen (United States Environmental Agency, 1993). Additionally, people who smoke or use tobacco are not entitled to protection against discrimination as “addicts” or as “disabled persons.” There is no legal right to smoke. Prohibiting tobacco on campus provides access to clean, smoke-free air while allowing adults who use tobacco to continue to do so off campus. This decision supports the rights and privileges of all.
Areas like Admissions, Athletics, and other units that welcome visitors to campus will want to address this policy with visitors prior to, or when they attend, campus events.
No. St. Olaf is not asking anyone to quit. The policy only prohibits the use of tobacco products on St. Olaf property. If interested in cessation services, please click here.
Yes. Anyone interested in quitting is encouraged to use these resources curated by the Wellness Center.
Employees who are on the St. Olaf College health plan can use the Blue Cross Blue Shield Quitting Tobacco Support Program.