Operation Residence Halls A Smoke-Free Policy Proposal for WSU Students by WSU Students

1. Operation Residence HallsA Smoke-Free Policy Proposalfor WSU Students by WSU Students Presented By: The HEALTH Student Association

2. Operation Residence Halls The HEALTH Student Association proposes a change in policy prohibiting smoking in and around Wichita State University (WSU) residence halls.

3. What is the HEALTH Student Association? • Student organization formed in the spring of 2005 • The purpose of HEALTH is to serve as a community-based association for students working together to improve health education and promote delivery of well diversified and high quality health care • Designated “Campus Tobacco” as the priority focus for the years 2005-2007

4. Why is policy change necessary? The purpose of our policy proposal is to: • Prevent initiation of new smokers • Enhance the rights of non-smokers • Reduce destruction to residence halls

5. What do WSU students think about campus tobacco? • 82.3% would rather date a non-smoker • 77.3% would prefer to socialize in a smoke free environment • 67.4% respect a person more if they have made the decision to be smoke free • 80.4% think that smoking is a disgusting habit • About ¼ of those surveyed said that people’s smoking habits have caused problems at WSU • 92.1% agreed that smoking cigarettes is harmful to your health • Approx. ½ of students surveyed think our entire campus should be tobacco free Based on the HEALTH Student Association’s 2006 Survey “WSU Student Beliefs and Behaviors Relative to Cigarette Smoking” IRB # 06-376

6. Why focus on residence halls? • Research has demonstrated that university residence halls are a successful intervention point to prevent smoking initiation • The majority of residents at WSU residence halls, particularly the freshmen at Fairmount Towers, are making independent health decisions for the first time in their lives • Smoke-free residence hall policies help prevent the initiation of cigarette smoking and the rights of the non-smokers are immediately enhanced

7. Some Kansas Universities are many steps ahead of WSU!

8. Emporia State University • Created limited designated smoking spaces on campus • Prohibits smoking in a 30-foot radius at all buildings including residence halls • Prohibits smoking in residence halls

9. University of Kansas • Designated one smoke-free entrance at each building • Marked smoke-free areas and prohibited smoking within a twenty foot radius of the entrance to any building • Prohibits smoking in all Lawrence Campus or Edwards Campus buildings, including residence halls

10. Kansas State University • Prohibits smoking in any university building or vehicle • Prohibits smoking within 30 feet of marked entrances • Prohibits smoking in all campus housing

11. Current WSU Policy “It is the policy of Wichita State University to prohibit smoking in all areas of all campus buildings including residence halls (except for designated smoking areas). Smoking is also prohibited in University owned vehicles.”

12. Current Residence Hall Policy “Smoking is prohibited in any public area inside a Housing and Residence Life facility, including any stairwells, hallways, lounges, and the Fairmount Tower’s Café. Smoking is also prohibited in student rooms unless the student applies for and receives a designated smoking room. Students in these rooms may smoke only with their doors shut; they many not smoke in the restrooms or kitchens. In Wheatshocker Apartments, the second and third floors are smoke-free. Smoking in designated, individual room/apartments is permitted in Brennan Hall and on the 5th floor of Fairmount North.”

13. Residence Hall Policy Continued . . . “Housing and Residence Life makes every effort to ensure that nonsmokers are not assigned a roommate or suitemate(s) who smokes unless they have mutually requested each other or unless there is no other room/ apartment available and both students give consent. Extreme caution should be exercised when smoking. Cigarette butts must not be thrown in the trash containers or on hall grounds; please use ashtrays near the entrances. Residents are asked to refrain from smoking a cigar, pipe, or other form of legal tobacco that they may disturb other residents because of the amount of smoke produced. Additionally, residents are prohibited from using any device that requires the use of charcoal, lighter fluid, or anything producing an open flame.”

14. HEALTH’s Policy Proposal Rationale Wichita State University is committed to providing a healthy, comfortable, and productive environment for students, faculty and staff of this campus.

15. HEALTH Policy Proposal The purpose of having a smoke-free housing environment at Wichita State University is to comply with the campus policy as well as assure that the rights and welfare of all non-smokers are protected and to provide a safe housing environment for all students.

16. HEALTH Policy Sample Statement It is the policy of Wichita State University that all housing options prohibit smoking. This includes any public area inside and outside a Housing and Resident Life facility. Smoking is prohibited in all rooms, stairwells, hallways, lounges, café, and entrances. Smoking is only allowed in designated, outdoor smoking areas. The Smoke-Free policy applies to all Wichita State University housing facilities, owned or leased, regardless of location.

17. HEALTH Policy Sample Statement Continued… Smoking shall not be permitted in any enclosed place, including private residential space within university housing. This policy applies to all students, faculty, staff and visitors. Smoking shall occur at a reasonable distance (25 feet or more) outside any enclosed area where smoking is allowed so as to insure that secondhand smoke does not enter through entrances, windows, ventilation systems or any other means.

18. How can this policy proposal help the University? • The current residence hall policy states that “Possession or use of candles, other substances capable of producing an open flame, or incense is prohibited at all times…” • SMOKING CREATES AN OPEN FLAME! In 2004 alone, lighted tobacco products caused an estimated 14,450 residential fires, 520 civilian deaths, 1,330 injuries, and $371 million in residential property damage (US Fire Administration) • Reduced maintenance costs, such as painting and ventilation system costs, are associated with smoke-free environments

19. If Adopted… • The HEALTH Student Association will assist with the transition • Copies of the policy will be distributed to all students, faculty and staff • Announcements will be printed in the WSU Sunflower • “No Smoking” signs will be purchased and posted at the residence halls • Ashtrays will be removed at any location in the Housing and Resident Life facility where smoking is currently allowed

20. Recommendations for the Transition to Smoke-Free Residence Halls • Policy would be announced three months prior to implementation • Campus-based smoking cessation programs are already in place and will be available for students who smoke and want to quit

21. Recommendations for Enforcing the Smoke-free Policy • Violation of this policy will result in such action: • 1st Offense – Citation with a $20 fine by campus police • 2nd Offense – Citation with $40 fine by campus police and a warning with such further actions • 3rd Offense – Subjects will be asked to leave campus housing areas or residents will be given a three day written notice of eviction from campus housing

22. In Conclusion: This policy change would be the first phase of a series of policies aimed at creating a healthier environment for all WSU students.

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