FAQ

November 12, 2009 for all University of Kentucky property.

The use of tobacco products of any kind is prohibited on all University and Medical Campus grounds.  This includes, but is not limited to: parking lots or structures, vacant University buildings, or any area with University Landscaping (stone walls, flower beds, etc.).

Respecting the policy is everyone's business and applies to all employees, patients, visitors, students, vendors and contractors.

Cigarettes, E-cigarettes, cigars, snuff, snus, water pipes, pipes, hookahs, chew, and any other non-combustible tobacco product.

No. The University of Kentucky is not asking anyone to quit. This policy simply means no one can use tobacco products on University of Kentucky property and grounds.

No. Tobacco use is prohibited in all UK-operated parking areas, and when on UK property, both inside and outside of vehicles.

Yes. The University of Kentucky joins more than 700 other United States college and universities with smoke- or tobacco-free policies.

UK offers multiple programs to help employees who want to quit using tobacco products. Click on the "Quit Here" menu link for more information. A special section is available for faculty and staff.

UK offers multiple programs to help students who want to quit using tobacco products. Click on the "Quit Here!" menu link for more information.  A special section is available for UK students.

The FDA has the authority to regulate e-cigarettes as a tobacco product For more information on e-cigarettes: http://www.uky.edu/breathe/tobacco-policy/quick-facts-topic/e-cigarettes-and-hookah

There are two reasons why UK decided not to create designated smoking areas.
 

First, designated smoking areas are not consistent with the policy. The aim of UK's tobacco-free policy is to create a healthy environment to live, work, and learn. Creating smoking areas sends a message that tobacco use is acceptable; rather, the university promotes healthy lifestyles and provides assistance for students and employees who are ready to quit and for those who need to manage their addiction symptoms while on campus.
 

Second, designated smoking areas create confusion and are a compliance challenge. Rarely do people comply with designated smoking areas, so the "area" expands more and more.

Since tobacco products are not allowed anywhere on campus, placing ashtrays, butt receptacles, or trash cans sends the wrong message. By placing receptacles for butts, it implicitly says that smoking or tobacco use is encouraged there. This would be inconsistent with our policy. Rather, the goal is to promote compliance with the policy through signage, accessible tobacco treatment, positive yet firm scripting, and butt clean up. We do not want to encourage or enable tobacco use in any way.

The use of tobacco products is prohibited on all university owned grounds.  A map which includes the boundaries of the university can be found under the "Policy" menu link.

Yes. These are all types of e-cigarettes which are covered under our policy. They are not permitted to be used in any campus buildings, residence halls, and anywhere on the University of Kentucky’s property.

The University of Kentucky has a vital interest in maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students,
employees, patients and visitors. Research findings show that use of tobacco products in general constitutes a
significant health hazard. The health care and health education programs of the University perform an important
function by demonstrating and promoting healthy lifestyles through activities such as curtailment of the use of
tobacco products. In addition, tobacco use is a serious safety concern and has been specifically listed as a
contributing factor in a number of university facility fires across the nation, many of which have resulted in
fatalities or major damage. In addition, Kentucky spends over $1 billion per year treating people who get sick
from using tobacco products.

The successful implementation of the Policy will engage everyone in creating a culture of compliance. Employees
and student leaders will be trained to provide clear, compassionate yet firm messages to communicate the
policy. Using scripted messages, employees and students will courteously remind any employee, patient, student,
visitor, vendor or contractor violating the Policy that the University prohibits the use of all tobacco products on
the University of Kentucky property. This policy will be enforced like any other student conduct/employee
regulation violation.

Undergraduate or graduate students who violate the Policy will be reported to the Dean of the appropriate
college or the Dean of Students. Students who violate the Policy in student housing areas will be reported to the
Office of Residence Life. Students who violate the Policy will be subject to corrective action according to the
applicable disciplinary code (i.e., the Student Code of Conduct and/or the Health Care Colleges Code of Student
Professional Conduct).

The goal of this policy is to make UK a healthy place to live, work and learn. Also, designated smoking areas have
been found not to work; tobacco users don’t stay in those areas (e.g., NKU’s current policy and the UK HealthCare
policy before we went tobacco free last year). Given the rationale for going tobacco-free, designated areas don’t
make sense.

Considerable research is being conducted by the College of Agriculture on other uses of tobacco besides
cigarettes. See link for more details: http://www.ca.uky.edu/KTRDC/

For areas not located within Fayette County, Kentucky, smoking is prohibited in all owned, operated, leased, or
controlled University buildings and structures, parking structures, enclosed bridges and walkways, and vehicles.
Smoking is also prohibited outside buildings and structures within 20 feet of entrances, exits, air intakes, and
windows, unless further restricted by division policy. Tobacco users are responsible for disposing of all tobacco
products in appropriate receptacles.

Compliance to the tobacco-free policy is the responsibility of all parties. Violation of this regulation may result in
corrective action under the Student Code of Conduct, Human Resources Policies and Procedures, or other
applicable University Regulations or Policies. This policy will not affect the student-faculty relationship any more
than any other policy on campus. It is expected that it will take time for the policy to become a part of the "normal
culture" on campus.

• More than 6,000 flyers about the policy were passed out last semester, and 4,000 more flyers about the policy were passed out at the UK Bookstore, KWEEK Events, placed on bulletin boards around campus and in Fraternity and Sorority housing, in Halls & the Stalls, and on the Dining Services Table Tents. All freshmen received the flyer at the Summer Advising Conferences.
• Information about the policy is in the KBook and the UK Handbooks
• There is a message about the policy on the UK Athletics Web site and radio interviews have been done
  (or will be done) by WUKY and WRFL radio.
• Wildcat Student TV will soon have a slide/commercial on Channel 49.
• Specific academic colleges also received information about the policy for their various publications.
  Information about the policy was given to all UK 101 Instructors to pass on to all of their students.
• Two brochures are being created that outline the policy and boundaries, and the resources available. These will be available throughout campus, in the Visitor Center, given to all College Deans and Ambassadors, and placed in all on-campus housing mailboxes.
• The Tobacco-Free Task Force has worked with the Kernel to educate students through several policy-
  related articles.

Students can smoke any where off campus. A map has been created (and will be included in the brochure) that outlines the specific boundaries of UK property. 

Smokeless tobacco products are harmful and are not a safe alternative to smoking. First, there is a significant burden placed on others when the tobacco user faces health-related injuries and preventable diseases (i.e., oral cancers). More than $1 billion per year is spent on treating people who get sick from using tobacco products in Kentucky. The use of tobacco products constitutes a significant health hazard, leading to premature death and chronic, debilitating disease, and UK is taking the lead on creating a healthier Kentucky.

UK offers many resources to students, employees and visitors. 

November 19, 2009, in conjunction with the American Cancer Society's Great American Smokeout.

Smoking or use of any tobacco product will not be permitted in any facility or on the grounds of the
University of Kentucky.

The policy applies to every person who comes to the University of Kentucky campus, including visitors,
faculty, staff, volunteers, students, alumni, contractors, and service representatives.

Yes, the policy applies to all areas of campus, including student housing.

Tobacco products include, but are not limited to, cigarettes (traditional and e-cigarettes), chew, pipes,
cigars, hookah or waterpipe smoking, snuff, and snus.

The entire University of Kentucky campus and Fayette County properties are included in this policy. By
November 19, 2009, clearly visible signs will be in place to indicate tobacco-free boundaries.

No. The university is not asking anyone to quit. This policy simply means that no one can use tobacco products on the University of Kentucky campus. To alleviate common cravings and to feel more comfortable while on campus, tobacco users may purchase nicotine gum and/or patches at a deep discount at all convenience stores, UK pharmacies, and hospital gift shops.

No. The policy prohibits use of tobacco products in all UK parking structures, parking lots, or shuttles
serving the University of Kentucky.

No. Tobacco use is prohibited in all UK-operated parking areas, both inside and outside of vehicles,
while on all UK Fayette County properties.

Yes. When this change is implemented on November 19, UK will join more than 300 other United States colleges and universities with tobacco-free or smoke-free policies in place for the entire campus, indoors and out. In 2010, the University of Louisville and Bellarmine are planning to go tobacco-free.

The goal of this policy is to make UK a healthy place to live, work and learn. Also, designated smoking areas have been found not to work; tobacco users don’t stay in those areas (e.g., NKU’s current policy and the UK HealthCare policy before we went tobacco free last year). Given the rationale for going tobacco-free, designated areas don’t make sense.

Considerable research is being conducted by the College of Agriculture on other uses of tobacco besides cigarettes. See link for more details: http://www.ca.uky.edu/KTRDC/.

The University of Kentucky has a vital interest in maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors. Research findings show that use of tobacco products in general constitutes a significant health hazard. The health care and health education programs of the University perform an important function by demonstrating and promoting healthy lifestyles through
activities such as curtailment of the use of tobacco products. In addition, tobacco use is a serious safety concern and has been specifically listed as a contributing factor in a number of university facility fires across the nation, many of which have resulted in fatalities or major damage. In addition, Kentucky spends over $1 billion per year treating people who get sick from using tobacco products.

Smokeless tobacco products are harmful and are not a safe alternative to smoking. First, there is a significant burden placed on others when the tobacco user faces health-related injuries and preventable diseases (i.e., oral cancers). More than $1 billion per year is spent on treating people who get sick from using tobacco products in Kentucky. The use of tobacco products constitutes a significant health
hazard, leading to premature death and chronic, debilitating disease, and UK is taking the lead on creating a healthier Kentucky.

Compliance is everyone’s business. You are asked to approach the violator in a kind, compassionate way. You might say, “I want to make you aware that we are now a Tobacco-Free campus, meaning that tobacco products are prohibited on our grounds. We would appreciate if you would not use tobacco products while visiting our campus.” OR “If you need to smoke or use tobacco products you will need to
leave the campus. We do have nicotine gum and patches available for you to purchase at a discount,” (direct to convenience stores, pharmacies, gift shops).

Report the violator to the Dean in charge of the nearest building. If a student, report to Dean of Students. If employee, report to their supervisor or Human Resources.

Employees and spouses or sponsored dependents have available to them a prescription benefit, Health and Wellness programs on tobacco treatment, as well as counseling on nicotine replacement and other therapies. Over-the-counter and prescription products are available at Kentucky Clinic Pharmacy (employees may also use the University Health Service pharmacy). Employees may take advantage of their health care spending account for additional tax savings on over-the-counter products used for tobacco treatment such as lozenges, nicotine patches, or gum.

Interested students should contact University Health Service, which provides tobacco treatment resources to students. Students will receive up to 12 weeks of free nicotine replacement products if they enroll in one of the UK tobacco treatment resources.

The University of Kentucky values the health and well-being of everyone who uses our facilities. If you use tobacco products and would like to quit, discuss with your physician or other health care provider which of the approaches may work best for you.