UM-Flint’s “Smoke-Free” Campus Marks Third Anniversary

It has been over three years since the University of Michigan-Flint campus has been smoke-free. Now, the focus is on helping the campus community become tobacco-free by providing information on the resources available to help quit tobacco use.

The goal is to establish a culture that supports a smoke-free community. The success of the policy is dependent on the thoughtfulness, consideration, and cooperation of smokers and non-smokers. The UM-Flint smoke-free policy includes e-cigarettes.

Smoking is permitted in privately-owned vehicles and sidewalks adjacent to public areas.

UM-Flint Smoke-Free Campus Map. Click to enlarge. — UM-Flint Smoke-Free Campus Map. **Click to enlarge**.

To inform visitors and remind the campus community of the smoke-free policy, cement urns, marked with special signage, will be placed around the periphery of the campus to collect discarded smoking materials.

There is a commitment by groups and organizations to improve the health of the campus. One organization taking a leading role in that effort is the Student Health Committee (SHC).

"The SHC is composed of faculty, staff, students, and members of health-related community organizations," said Theresa Landis, director of Auxiliary and Recreational Services. The committee has taken on the role of increasing awareness about the Smoke-Free Policy and the health benefits and resources that are designed to support becoming tobacco-free.

The MHealthy Tobacco Consultation Service (TCS) is one of the resource available to help both employees and students of the University of Michigan, as well as patients of the University of Michigan Health System to quit tobacco. TCS offers a variety of tobacco treatment options to meet the needs of the U-M community, and provides tobacco treatment services in a non-judgmental, supportive environment.