St. Olaf becomes tobacco-free and vape-free campus
St. Olaf College will become a tobacco-free and vape-free campus on September 1, 2021, a step that furthers the college’s commitment to providing a healthy and safe campus environment for all.
More information about the new Tobacco-Free and Vape-Free Campus Policy, as well as answers to frequently asked questions, are available on this web page. This policy applies to all students, faculty, and staff at St. Olaf, as well as all visitors to campus.
St. Olaf’s move to become a tobacco-free and vape-free campus aligns with the policies of many colleges and universities in the United States. According to the American Cancer Society, all U.S. colleges and universities prohibit smoking inside campus buildings and more than 2,000 college and university campuses are tobacco-free. Four states (Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, and Louisiana) have enacted laws that require policies prohibiting smoking in all indoor and outdoor areas of public college campuses. Iowa extends the law to include private institutions. Substantial research demonstrates the damaging effects of tobacco on users and persons who experience secondhand smoke as a result of that use.
St. Olaf is proud to join the long list of colleges and universities that have made a similar commitment to the health and safety of campus community members.