At the one-year mark for the Davis campus’s ban on smoking and all tobacco products, indoors and out, the steering committee that implemented the policy is exploring next steps “to ensure all have the right to breathe clean air.”
The committee announced that it will soon send a survey by email to all staff, faculty and students to evaluate the effectiveness of the smoke- and tobacco-free policy thus far and to assess the campus climate for future enforcement strategies. Noncompliance is a violation of UC Davis’ code of conduct, but enforcement at this time remains educationally focused, and “conversations with violators should be confidential, respectful and empathetic,” the committee says.
CELEBRATIONS
An anniversary celebration of “Smoke and Tobacco Free” will span three days next week in the lobby of the Student Community Center. Cake will be served the first day, Tuesday, Jan. 20, and other treats the next two days.
Hours are 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., with each day featuring a different student group, as follows:
- Tuesday, Jan. 20 — Saving Lungs Saving Lives
- Wednesday, Jan. 21 — Colleges Against Cancer/Relay for Life
- Thursday, Jan. 22 — Campus Center for the Environment
Each group will present its own information and activity, provide general information on cessation resources available at UC Davis, and distribute “Quit Kits” (with literature and gum) and swag (for example, bubbles and buttons that read, “blow bubbles not smoke”).
The Smoke and Tobacco Free Steering Committee will provide an additional activity focusing on Big Tobacco’s “sneaky marketing techniques.”
The Davis City Council recognized the smoke- and tobacco-free policy last October, issuing a proclamation honoring the UC Davis for its commitment to the health and well-being of students, faculty, staff and visitors. Chancellor Linda P.B. Katehi accepted the proclamation, and Andy Jones, the city’s poet laureate (and lecturer in the University Writing Program), recited his poem “We need you, Yul Brynner!” Brynner, an Academy Award-winning actor, famously proclaimed in a public service announcement broadcast after his death from lung cancer in 1985: "Now that I'm gone, I tell you don't smoke. Whatever you do, just don't smoke. If I could take back that smoking, we wouldn't be talking about any cancer. I'm convinced of that."
City Council video (Jones’ presentation begins at :04:14 and the council’s presentation to UC Davis begins at :17:12)
The Jan. 1 anniversary “gives us an opportunity to reflect on where we are with the policy and what remains to be done to continue to promote a culture of health and mutual responsibility on campus,” the committee says on the Breathe Free UC Davis website.
Roger Belcourt, committee co-chair and director of Occupational Health Services, said the policy “represents a really great change on our campus, but there is still work to be done to ensure all have the right to breathe clean air.”
He also commented on his role in implementing the policy: “As a preventive medicine physician, it’s rare that one gets the opportunity to positively impact as many lives at one time.”
Over the past year, the committee has been committed to educating the campus community about the policy and letting tobacco users know about resources for quitting.
According to the committee’s statement: “The success of this policy relies on the respect, consideration and cooperation of the entire campus community — smokers and nonsmokers alike. While this approach is a step in the right direction, it has not been effective for everyone and the steering committee continues to work toward compliance.”
Which is one reason the committee is urging people to answer the survey that is due to come out in the next few weeks. “Please take a few moments to make sure your voice is heard with regard to the policy moving forward. University officials will continue to examine policies at other higher education institutions and develop its own enforcement plan over the upcoming years.”
The committee also encourages the use of its online feedback form for questions, comments, concerns and/or instances of noncompliance. Or, contact Keavagh Clift, the policy coordinator, by email.
Ready to quit?
The Breathe Free website includes information on resources for students, faculty and staff.
Students, for example, are eligible for free tobacco cessation services, including a one-month supply of nicotine replacement products, through Student Health and Counseling Services.
Staff, faculty and students can get a free, two-week supply of nicotine replacement therapy from Rite Aid Pharmacy at Russell Boulevard and La Rue-Anderson roads.
The Academic and Staff Assistance Program offers free, confidential counseling for faculty and staff adapting to a tobacco-free workday.
Media Resources
Dave Jones, Dateline, 530-752-6556, dljones@ucdavis.edu