There won't be any more clouds of cigarette smoke at Wells College.
The institution in Aurora announced Tuesday that the entire campus will now be smoke-free in an effort to promote health and wellness for the college community.
“Our discussion and research led us to the conclusion that Wells College will be a healthier, more comfortable living and working environment as a smoke-free campus,” college President Lisa Marsh Ryerson said in a news release. “In doing so, we join many other colleges, universities, hospitals and workplaces in recognizing the public health and safety benefits of a smoke-free environment.”
The college's previous smoking policy banned smoking in the academic buildings and residence halls.
Associate Dean of Students for Residence Life Joel McCarthy said notices went out to students and staff in the spring about the change and information sessions were convened to gauge student reaction, which he said was generally positive. Students often complained about cigarette smoke blowing through windows of academic buildings and residence halls, he said.
But not all students were pleased with the decision and voiced their frustration.
The college will offer assistance to anyone in the community who would like to quit smoking, free of charge.
Nicotine patches, gums and other smoking cessation programs will be available in the health center.
Students who violate the policy would go through the college judicial process, McCarthy said.
Violations from faculty and staff would be dealt with by human resources.
There are at least 131 colleges and universities that have smoke-free policies without exemptions nationwide, according to the American Nonsmokers' Rights Foundation.
Foundation Associate Director Bronson Frick said smoke-free policies have become a national trend that is aligned with awareness of second-hand smoke hazards and what role tobacco has in academic settings.
The movement began with colleges implementing smoke-free policies indoors, from academic buildings to residence halls, with many including a distance from doorway provision outside.
Frick said the provision is very difficult to enforce, and colleges have turned to smoke-free campus policies as a simple solution to the health risks associated with cigarettes.
“It also makes a statement that tobacco doesn't have a role on campus in an academic setting,” he said, “that this is a place of growth and learning, not a place for addiction and the tobacco industry targeting young adults.”
While Wells officials began the discussion of instituting a smoke-free policy more than a year ago, the idea received a boost when McCarthy attended the Central New York College Tobacco Policy Summit at Le Moyne College in Syracuse in February.
Nearby schools presented their smoking policies and gave good recommendations that led to Wells' policy, he said.
“This is one more thing we are doing to promote an inclusive environment,” he said, “a space that everyone can feel comfortable.”
Staff writer Alyssa Sunkin can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 239 or alyssa.sunkin@lee.net
“Our discussion and research led us to the conclusion that Wells College will be a healthier, more comfortable living and working environment as a smoke-free campus,” college President Lisa Marsh Ryerson said in a news release. “In doing so, we join many other colleges, universities, hospitals and workplaces in recognizing the public health and safety benefits of a smoke-free environment.”
The college's previous smoking policy banned smoking in the academic buildings and residence halls.
Associate Dean of Students for Residence Life Joel McCarthy said notices went out to students and staff in the spring about the change and information sessions were convened to gauge student reaction, which he said was generally positive. Students often complained about cigarette smoke blowing through windows of academic buildings and residence halls, he said.
But not all students were pleased with the decision and voiced their frustration.
The college will offer assistance to anyone in the community who would like to quit smoking, free of charge.
Nicotine patches, gums and other smoking cessation programs will be available in the health center.
Students who violate the policy would go through the college judicial process, McCarthy said.
Violations from faculty and staff would be dealt with by human resources.
There are at least 131 colleges and universities that have smoke-free policies without exemptions nationwide, according to the American Nonsmokers' Rights Foundation.
Foundation Associate Director Bronson Frick said smoke-free policies have become a national trend that is aligned with awareness of second-hand smoke hazards and what role tobacco has in academic settings.
The movement began with colleges implementing smoke-free policies indoors, from academic buildings to residence halls, with many including a distance from doorway provision outside.
Frick said the provision is very difficult to enforce, and colleges have turned to smoke-free campus policies as a simple solution to the health risks associated with cigarettes.
“It also makes a statement that tobacco doesn't have a role on campus in an academic setting,” he said, “that this is a place of growth and learning, not a place for addiction and the tobacco industry targeting young adults.”
While Wells officials began the discussion of instituting a smoke-free policy more than a year ago, the idea received a boost when McCarthy attended the Central New York College Tobacco Policy Summit at Le Moyne College in Syracuse in February.
Nearby schools presented their smoking policies and gave good recommendations that led to Wells' policy, he said.
“This is one more thing we are doing to promote an inclusive environment,” he said, “a space that everyone can feel comfortable.”
Staff writer Alyssa Sunkin can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 239 or alyssa.sunkin@lee.net
