The Union College campus recently joined other Kentucky colleges and communities that have gone tobacco-free.

Union College goes Tobacco-Free

The Union College campus is now tobacco-free.

A comprehensive tobacco-free policy went into effect August 2 and applies to the entire Barbourville campus, Union College London Center, and any properties leased, owned or operated by the college.

In a notification to the campus community, Union President Ed de Rosset said Union “joins a large and quickly growing number of colleges and universities, including many in Kentucky, which have gone tobacco-free. The University of Kentucky is among those.”

President de Rosset also pointed to Kentucky communities, including London, that have adopted “highly restrictive tobacco use policies.”

The new policy affects the employees and students of Union, as well as visitors to the campus. Individuals and groups who lease campus facilities will also be expected to comply with the policy.

The gradual move toward a tobacco-free campus began with policies to limit second-hand smoke. Over time, Union has worked to decrease exposure to second-hand smoke by restricting tobacco use in the dining hall, campus buildings, and, most recently, within 50-feet of all camps entrances.

President de Rosset says the incremental restrictions and ultimate move to a tobacco-free campus have been led by the Student Government Association (SGA), Union administration and the Union College Board of Trustees.

“We view this as a preventable disease health policy,” said President de Rosset. “The goal is to ensure that our work, learning, and living spaces are healthy for everyone. At the same time, we want to offer our support to tobacco users who may experience discomfort because of the policy. Union’s human resources and student life staff can help students and employees access smoking cessation programs and products to ease discomfort while on campus.”

August 16, 2010

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