Husson University to Become Tobacco & Smoke Free Campus

Published on: April 2, 2013

This is a great day for our University, said Husson President Robert Clark. “On September1, 2014, Husson University will join the growing list of nearly 800 U.S. Colleges and Universities to adopt a tobacco free smoke free campus policy.

Over the next 18 months, Husson will implement an information campaign and begin working with students and employees who wish to break their addiction to tobacco products. During 2013-2014, we expect voluntary compliance to begin with enforcement to begin in September, 2014. 

“Husson is committed to providing a healthy working and learning environment for the entire campus community. The simple reason we are doing this is to reduce harm from tobacco use and second hand smoke, provide an environment that encourages persons to be tobacco free, to reduce our insurance and health care costs and to promote a campus culture of wellness,” said Husson President Robert Clark. 

“All of us across this campus need to take responsibility to see that this policy is enforced. We will work with every department to find ways to make this transition successful. I extend my thanks to the steering committee for their work this past year, and I appreciate the support from all of as we implement this policy,” said Clark.

When the new campus policy goes into effect, no smoking or use of tobacco products will be allowed in any buildings, administrative facilities, residence halls or on the campus grounds, including athletic fields and parking areas.

This initiative is student driven. More than a year ago the Student Senate made the decision to approach the administration with the idea that we become a smoke free tobacco free campus. The Tobacco Free Smoke Free Steering Committee was formed and has been working for a year to put together a plan of action to make this transition as smooth as possible. Key to the decision to become a tobacco free smoke free campus are the two U.S. Surgeon General reports released in 2006 and 2010. These reports state that secondhand smoke is a Class A carcinogen that causes cancer in humans and there is no safe level of exposure.