<p>As part of ensuring the health and well-being of our students, faculty, staff and visitors, The University of Alabama will become smoke-free effective Jan. 1, 2015. Smoking, including the use of e-cigarettes, will be prohibited in all facilities, grounds and parking areas on the UA campus.
This is the next step in a long-standing policy prohibiting smoking inside University buildings and limiting smoking areas outside buildings.
The Faculty Senate, the Professional Staff Assembly, the Office, Clerical and Technical Assembly, the Black Faculty/Staff Association and the UA Association of Residential Communities have passed resolutions in support of a smoke-free campus.
The policy protects the UA community from the dangers of second-hand smoke, promotes a healthier environment and reduces the problem of littering and the risk of accidental fires due to discarded cigarettes.
The University is providing resources to support our community as this policy takes effect. The Student Health Center, the Office of Health Promotion and Wellness, and the College of Community Health Sciences/University Medical Center will offer assistance to individuals who want to stop smoking. Links to these resources can be found on the Smoke-Free Campus website at <a href=“http://www.ua.edu/smokefree”>www.ua.edu/smokefree</a>. Employees can enroll for special January sessions of the QuitSmart program by following these links.
Faculty and staff covered by the University’s insurance plan will be provided current benefits for smoking cessation products and services. At this time, this includes a waiver of co-pays for some services. (See other benefits on the Human Resources link on the Smoke-Free website at <a href="http://www.ua.edu/smokefree/.) ">http://www.ua.edu/smokefree/.) </a>
The University is confident that both smokers and non-smokers will be cooperative, responsible and understanding during this time of transition as the campuswide policy takes effect.
UA joins more than 1,400 colleges and universities across the country that have become smoke-free.
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<p>Good. About time.</p>
<p>Agreed, it’s a good decision. </p>
<p>Does this include the breezeways of BDS? I sure hope so. Going to the bath room or buying food/drink there requires walking through a smoky breezeway.</p>
<p>I don’t get why e-cigarettes are included. Can someone clue me in?</p>
<p>E-cigs still have nicotine, the addictive compound found in regular cigarettes. There are many articles on the health risks of e-cigs. Here is but one example: <a href=“E-Cigarettes: The Side Effects Nobody Talks About”>http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/09/25/e-cigarettes-the-side-effects-nobody-talks-about.html</a> . The stats on new users (including increased # of teens) are steep. The writing is on the wall for traditional tobacco companies, tho, and any policy to make our lives completely “smoke”-free, I applaud.</p>
<p>I know they do @aeromom. My question is why not let the smokers use them in place of cigarettes?</p>
<p>Well, I guess UA wants to promote as healthy an environment as possible?</p>
<p>From what I understand, e-cigs have been found to have toxic chemicals and lung irritants. We need more studies to see if the ‘second hand smoke’ from the vapors have an ill effect on others (not just those inhaling the vapors. Just like second hand smoke from cigarettes has been found to be harmful to others)</p>
<p>My son was happy to learn UA is going smoke free 
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<p>Great news, IMHO, but I gather not everyone is pleased!</p>
<p><a href=“UA bans smoking on campus - The Crimson White”>http://cw.ua.edu/article/2014/11/ua-bans-smoking-on-campus</a></p>
<p>This is great news. I hope my other concern, excessive drinking, is also addressed.</p>
<p>In my opinion, this was just a matter of time.</p>
<p>Really nice to hear.Back when I was still there, there were more than 10 people in front of Paty hall smoking ALL DAY TILL LATE NIGHT! I guess I wont have to smell smoke after I go back.</p>
<p>My DS had asthma and is triggered by second hand smoke. When we toured Auburn we passed 3 people who were smoking on campus. That was a huge mark against Auburn. We never encountered a smoker at Alabama. 
Glad they made it smoke free.</p>