Tobacco-Free Campus
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About Our Tobacco-Free Campus
Printable Implementation Resources
Wright State University is committed to being a tobacco-free campus. We started to investigate this initiative almost five years ago with a task force comprised of faculty, staff, and students, as well as Public Health – Dayton and Montgomery County. After careful review, many surveys, and campus discussions, Wright State became tobacco free on July 1, 2017.
In order to promote a healthy environment in which to learn and work for our students, faculty, staff, and visitors, Wright State has adopted a Tobacco-Free policy. Read the Tobacco-Free policy.
We recognize the serious health consequences of tobacco use both to users and non-users. Tobacco is the leading cause of preventable death and disability in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The tobacco-free initiative encourages a cleaner and greener campus while preparing our students for future tobacco-free environments.
In July 2012 the Ohio Board of Regents (presently the Ohio Department of Higher Education), recommended that all Ohio public universities become tobacco free. To date, eight other four-year schools in the Inter-University Council of Ohio are tobacco free or have announced plans to become tobacco free. Wright State will be the ninth. It joins more than 1,400 tobacco-free campuses across the country.
What is included?
The use of all types of tobacco products is prohibited in all university facilities, on all university-owned or leased grounds, including the woods, university-owned or operated residence halls and apartments at Dayton and Lake campuses, and at all university-sponsored events, regardless of location. The policy also applies to off-site buildings and grounds that are solely leased or occupied by Wright State University. Cessation gum, patches, or other cessation products approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration are allowed.
This policy applies to anyone on campus including students, faculty, staff, visitors, consultants, vendors, patients, volunteers, and contractor employees.
Working Together
We understand that becoming tobacco free will require a change in culture that will take time. The consideration and cooperation of tobacco users and non-tobacco users alike is needed to fully implement the policy. It is also important to note that this initiative does not require any individual to stop using tobacco products; such a decision is an individual’s choice.
Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to take an active role in supporting this culture change. Thank you for helping to make Wright State a healthier place to be!
Tobacco Cessation Resources
Ready to quit? We’re here to help.
Wright State is committed to assisting smokers and tobacco users who choose to quit or cease tobacco use. The university is taking a variety of steps to assist our faculty, staff, and students. Smoking cessation resources are provided by Impact Solutions (our employee assistance program), Anthem (our employee health care provider), and local public health agencies will be offered.
Students
Contact Destinee Biesemeyer, coordinator for health promotion, Counseling and Wellness Services, Student Union 053, 937-775-3407.
- Be “Smoke Free” FREE
- Be “Tobacco Free” FREE
- Become an Ex FREE
- Nicotine Anonymous—multiple languages available FREE
- Ohio Tobacco Quit Line
Anyone
Ohio Tobacco Quit Line: Visit http://ohio.QuitLogix.org or call 1-800-784-8669.
Public Health—Dayton and Montgomery County: Visit Public Health’s website, or call 937-225-5700.
Frequently Asked Questions
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When will Wright State University become tobacco free?
July 1, 2017
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Where can I find the full Tobacco-Free policy?
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Is there state and federal support for Wright State becoming tobacco free?
In July 2012, the Ohio Board of Regents (presently the Ohio Department of Higher Education), the state agency that coordinates higher education in Ohio, passed a resolution recommending that all Ohio public universities become tobacco free. To date, eight other four-year schools in the Inter-University Council of Ohio are tobacco free or have announced plans to become tobacco free. Wright State will be the ninth. More information can be found here.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services created the Tobacco-Free College Campus Initiative, a partnership to support tobacco-free policies at colleges and universities across the country. As of Oct. 1, 2016, there were 1,713 smoke-free campuses, of which 1,427 campuses – about two-thirds – were fully tobacco free.
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What does having a Tobacco-Free policy mean?
Tobacco use, including the sale, advertising sampling, and distribution of tobacco products and tobacco-related items is prohibited in all university facilities, on all university-owned or leased grounds, university-owned or operated residence halls and apartments at both the Dayton and Lake campuses, and at all university-sponsored events, regardless of location. Tobacco use is also prohibited in all university vehicles or on any equipment owned, leased, or operated by Wright State University.
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What is included in tobacco products?
Tobacco is defined to include any product that contains tobacco, is derived from tobacco or contains nicotine [or lobelia], that is intended for human consumption, or is likely to be consumed, whether smoked, heated, chewed, absorbed, dissolved, or ingested by any other means. This includes e-cigarettes and other electronic smoking devices, but does not include any cessation product approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for use as a medical treatment to reduce and eliminate nicotine or tobacco dependence.
Please note that electronic-cigarettes, similar devices, and products intended to mimic tobacco products—whether or not they contain nicotine—are also prohibited. There is insufficient evidence that these devices positively affect smoking and they are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration as smoking cessation devices, and therefore cannot be used.
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Does the policy apply to the Lake Campus?
Yes.
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Does the policy apply to the Wright State University Nutter Center?
Yes. The Nutter Center is university-owned property and therefore covered by the policy.
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Does the policy apply to campus housing?
Yes. University-owned or operated residence halls and apartments at both the Dayton and Lake campuses are covered by this policy.
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Does the policy apply to the woods on campus?
Yes.
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Will smoking be allowed in private vehicles on university property?
No. Tobacco use will be prohibited on Wright State’s campus, including parking areas, both inside and outside of private vehicles.
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Does the Tobacco-Free policy apply at university sanctioned events or sporting events?
Yes. The policy prohibits tobacco use on university property, including all sports stadiums and fields.
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Will there be any designated smoking areas?
No. There will not be designated smoking areas beginning July 1, 2017.
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How are off-site university locations affected by this policy?
The Tobacco-Free policy covers all university owned or leased grounds, owned or operated residence halls and apartments at both the Dayton and Lake campuses, and all university sponsored events. For locations off-site from the Dayton or Lake Campuses, this includes buildings and grounds solely leased or occupied by Wright State, including those properties owned by Double Bowler Properties Corp. Locations where the university is leasing only space within a facility (such as local hospitals, health centers, WPAFB, etc.) are covered by the smoking and/or tobacco policy of those facilities.
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What is the university going to do to assist students/employees who want to quit using tobacco products?
Wright State is committed to assisting smokers and tobacco users who choose to quit or cease tobacco use. The university is taking a variety of steps to assist our faculty, staff, and students. Smoking cessation programs will be offered starting in 2017 for both the Dayton campus and Lake campus locations. In addition, resources provided by Impact Solutions (our faculty and staff assistance program), Anthem (our employee health care provider), and local public health agencies will be offered.
Faculty and Staff:
Visit the Living Well Employee Wellness website, email employeewellness@wright.edu, or call (937) 775-5256.
Students:
Check out the Counseling and Wellness Services website, or call (937) 775-3407.
Anyone:
Ohio Tobacco Quit Line: Visit http://ohio.QuitLogix.org or call 1-800-784-8669.
Public Health – Dayton and Montgomery County: Visit Public Health’s website, or call (937) 225-5700.
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Who can I contact if I have a question?
- Faculty and staff may email Human Resources at human_resources@wright.edu or call (937) 775-2120.
- Students may contact the Office of Community Standards and Student Conduct at studentconduct@wright.edu or (937) 775-4240.
- Contractors should contact Purchasing at purchasing@wright.edu or (937) 775-2411.
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Are electronic-cigarettes (e-cigs) permitted?
No. Electronic-cigarettes, similar devices, and products intended to mimic tobacco products—whether or not they contain nicotine—are prohibited. There is insufficient evidence that these devices positively affect smoking and they are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration as smoking cessation devices, therefore cannot be used.
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Will it be OK to use smokeless tobacco, such as chew?
No. All forms of tobacco are prohibited. The health risks associated with "chew" as well as other smokeless tobacco products are well documented.
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Will the use of hookahs and other devices for smoking tobacco be permitted?
No. Using hookahs or any other device to smoke tobacco is prohibited.
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Is abstaining from tobacco a condition of employment at Wright State?
No. This is not addressed in the Tobacco-Free policy.
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Is abstaining from tobacco a condition of being admitted as a student?
No. This is not addressed in the Tobacco-Free policy.
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How will Wright State enforce the Tobacco-Free policy?
Compliance with this university policy will be treated the same as all other university policies. There are no additional enforcement mechanisms with this policy.
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How will people know that tobacco use is prohibited?
Notices bearing the message “Tobacco Free” will be posted at major university vehicular, pedestrian, and building entrances. Whether or not a notice or sign is posted, all university property is tobacco free. The policy also will be communicated via the Tobacco-Free website, social media channels, student and employee handbooks, emails, printed materials, as well as new student orientation, new employee orientation, and appropriate campus gatherings.
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Does Wright State have the right to tell me I can’t use tobacco products on campus property?
Yes. The university has a responsibility to establish policies that positively affect the health and wellbeing of all students, faculty, staff, vendors, volunteers, and visitors. The Tobacco-Free policy does not prohibit tobacco use; it merely establishes where use can and cannot occur.
Have a question?
- Faculty and staff may contact Human Resources at human_resources@wright.edu or 937-775-2120.
- Students may contact the Office of Community Standards and Student Conduct at studentconduct@wright.edu or 937-775-4240.
- Contractors should contact Purchasing at purchasing@wright.edu or 937-775-2411.
