On Monday, Aug. 24, UNMC property will go tobacco-free.
Don Leuenberger, vice chancellor for business and finance, recently answered some questions regarding the move to a tobacco-free campus.
I thought the campus already was tobacco-free. How does this change things?
Two decades ago, we were among the first employers to ban smoking on campus, except in designated outside areas — the smoking huts. This policy takes this a step further. As of Aug. 24, smoking and other tobacco use no longer will be allowed on university-owned property and grounds.
What will happen to the smoking huts?
Crews will begin removing the smoking huts the week UNMC goes tobacco-free. The huts will be cleaned and stored until another suitable purpose is found for their use.
Why is UNMC going tobacco-free?
For several reasons. It’s time to complete what we started 20 years ago. We are a national leader in disease prevention and health promotion, and this dovetails with that designation. Smoking, exposure to secondhand smoke and the use of smokeless tobacco are detrimental to individuals’ health. From an employer perspective, employees who smoke or use tobacco, collectively, have higher health insurance costs and more loss of productivity than employees who don’t employ these habits. Our students are aware of this, and the Student Senate has persisted in bringing this to our attention.
What resources are you providing current smokers who want to kick the habit?
We understand that smoking is physically addictive. To assist smokers wanting to quit, our Faculty/Employee Assistance Program (559-5175) has a counselor certified as an addiction specialist for individual appointments and provides group sessions on addictions, specifically the addiction of tobacco products. In addition, employees can call Dr. Jayme Nekuda at 559-8962 to learn more about the cessation classes that are being offered for a nominal fee. I also would encourage employees to join the Center for Healthy Living and to learn more about the nutrition and fitness classes that are available on campus.
Is UNMC’s hospital partner, The Nebraska Medical Center, also going tobacco-free?
At this time, The Nebraska Medical Center will not be going tobacco-free on their grounds, although they share our goal of helping employees quit smoking and they have an excellent smoking cessation program, as well.
Does this policy affect visitors to the campus?
This policy encompasses all individuals whether they are working, visiting, receiving health care, or whether they are contractors or vendors on UNMC property and grounds.
How will the policy be enforced?
Enforcement of the policy is the shared responsibility of the entire UNMC community. A self-enforcing culture needs to be the norm and voluntary compliance is expected. Plenty of signage on campus will explain that UNMC is tobacco-free, and we expect people to comply with this policy.
If I see someone smoking, what should I do?
That’s up to you. If you’re comfortable, you may gently remind someone of the tobacco-free designation. Again, I believe a self-enforcing culture needs to exist and I’m confident that it will.