The Tobacco Free Campus policy is part of the university’s commitment to creating a healthy campus for all members of our campus community, and is designed to be positive and supportive of overall health and well-being.
The Tobacco Free Campus policy defines tobacco products as including but not limited to cigarettes, cigars, pipes, water pipes (hookah), bidis, kreteks, smokeless tobacco, chewing tobacco, snus, snuff, electronic cigarettes and any non-FDA approved nicotine delivery device.
Individuals noticing violations of the policy should strive to be respectful to tobacco users when communicating the policy. Additionally, tobacco users are expected to adhere to the policy and likewise be respectful to ex-tobacco users and non-tobacco users. Enforcement of the policy will be achieved primarily through education, awareness and providing support to those who desire to stop using tobacco products.
Read the full policy language in the university's Policy Manual.
Why Tobacco Free?
A previously standing smoke-free campus policy was instituted in July 2008 and remains in effect as a part of Iowa’s Smokefree Air Act; however, many changes in the tobacco industry, as well as revised federal, state, and local legislation and policy, have occurred since 2008. Most prevalent is the exponential growth of the e-cigarette market. Currently, sales of e-cigarette products are estimated at approximately $1 billion annually and growing. Recent research indicates that the fastest growing user group for e-cigarettes is teenagers, and that while traditional cigarette use is declining in teens, the use of e-cigarettes is growing rapidly.
Higher education peers have not been silent on this issue, with many institutions adopting comprehensive tobacco free policies that include the use of e-cigarettes. Additionally, local and federal governing bodies and industry leaders (such as American Heart Association) support such policies.
A Tobacco Free Campus Will...
- Protect University of Iowa students, faculty, staff, and visitors from unwanted and involuntary exposure to tobacco and passive smoke
- Provide motivation for tobacco users to get help to quit for good
Tobacco Cessation Education and Resources
For Students
Student Health offers a variety of resources to help students quit tobacco use. Free one-on-one consultations are available for students to receive information on quit aids, overcoming barriers, behavior modification, and relapse. Physicians are also available to discuss medications and provide prescriptions.
For Faculty and Staff
liveWELL offers a free one-on-one Health Coach service to assist in tobacco cessation and other lifestyle improvement areas. When working in conjunction with a health coach, UI employees can receive reimbursement for receipts totaling up to $500 for Nicotine Replacement Therapy or other smoking cessation medications.
For All Campus Visitors
Quitline Iowa – 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669)
Free phone-based cessation counseling for all Iowans is available 24/7 except for the Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Independence Day holidays.
Campus Maps
Tobacco use is prohibited in all University of Iowa buildings and on all University of Iowa grounds as defined by the Tobacco Free Campus Policy Map. Note that the red and shaded-red overlays represent UI-owned streets or property where smoking and tobacco use are prohibited. (See legend in top right for details.)
Toolkit and Educational Resources
Signage
Helpful Links
- American Cancer Society: Guides to quitting, research and fact sheets
- American Heart Association: Guides to quitting, tips for ex-smokers, stress management strategies
- American Lung Association: Stop smoking guide