Effective August 1, 2016, Mississippi State University will be smoke-free.
The use of any combustible or vapor products will be prohibited anywhere on campus property including university buildings, university grounds, university vehicles, parking areas and sidewalks. The full text of the policy, including relevant definitions is available at the Mississippi State University Policies and Procedures website. Reference Student Affairs OP 91.301: Smoking and Tobacco Use on Mississippi State University property.
The Smoke-Free Campus Policy is part of the university’s commitment to creating a healthy environment for all members of our campus community.
Individuals noticing violations of the policy should be non-confrontational and respectful to smokers when communicating our policy. Additionally, smokers are expected to adhere to the policy, and likewise be respectful. Enforcement of the policy will be achieved through education, awareness, and a spirit of cooperation.
Workplaces are increasingly tobacco-free.
College leaders are invested not only in promoting academic achievement, but also in developing life-long skills that will promote individual and civic well-being and prepare students to succeed. In growing numbers nationwide, worksites, school grounds, health care, recreation and transportation facilities are becoming smoke-free. A smoke-free campus will help students prepare for the workplace. With all else being equal, prospective students and their parents may factor in a college’s smoking policy when deciding where to enroll.
Smoke poses risk to young adults and children on campus.
A smoke-free policy helps ensure your students—present and future— will have opportunities to succeed in a healthy and safe environment.
- Tobacco smoke is both a Class-A carcinogen and a toxic air contaminant. The Surgeon General declared that there is no safe level of exposure to environmental tobacco smoke.
- Smoke-free campus policies are becoming more common on college and university campuses throughout the United States.
- Nationwide, 1,483 colleges are 100% smoke free as of April 2016.
- Both public and private institutions are recognizing the important health and economic benefits of having a smoke-free campus policy.
- Save money on facilities and maintenance
- In addition to being a health hazard, tobacco smoke creates a noxious campus environment and account for over $40,000 in grounds keeping expenses at MSU each year.
- Unlike having designated smoking areas, going completely tobacco-free doesn’t just move the problem; it eliminates it entirely.
- Colleges should be places where students learn lessons to last a lifetime, not where students pick up a life-long addiction.