Creating a Healthier University Campus: The Benefits of a Designated Smoking Area at the University
Category: Facilities
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Here is an update from the SU on recent changes: The University’s Smoking and Vaping Policy was reviewed by the Health and Safety Committee and signed off by the Senior Leadership Team. To stay in line with the WELL Building Standard (which the Jo Cox and Daphne Steele buildings meet), the no smoking/vaping zone around all University buildings has now been set to 7.5 metres. You’ll notice updated signs on campus to reflect this. Thanks for helping to keep our campus healthy and welcoming for everyone!
For ensuring a healthier, more sustainable and respectful campus environment, a proposal can be made on establishing a designated smoking area on campus. This initiative provides a controlled space for smoking, protecting the people of our university from the adverse effects of secondhand smoke. This come from feedback provided the SU's Big Ideas Student Panel that suggested this concept over a smoke free campus:
Objectives:
- Promote Health and Wellness: By limiting smoking to a specific area, we can create a healthier campus for the people of our university campus
- Enhance Campus Aesthetics: Concentrating smoking in designated spaces help to maintain cleanliness and minimizes litter from cigarette butts and related waste.
- Respect for All: Designated areas foster a balanced environment where smokers and non-smokers can coexist respectfully.
Proposed Features of the Designated Smoking Area:
- Design and Safety: The area can feature seating, receptacles for waste and adequate ventilation. Clear signage will guide people to the designated area, promoting ease of access and compliance.
- Health Resources: Information on smoking cessation resources will be available nearby offering support for anyone interested in quitting smoking or vaping.
Benefits to the University Community:
- Healthier Environment: Limiting exposure to secondhand smoke to prioritize the health and well-being of the people at the university campus.
- Reduced Environmental Impact: Proper waste management in the designated area minimizes litter.
- Community Cohesion: The initiative fosters mutual respect by allowing smokers and non-smokers to coexist peacefully which enhances campus harmony and inclusivity.
In short, the establishment of a designated smoking area is an impactful step toward creating a healthier and more considerate campus. Through structured management, it can ensure a balanced environment that respects the needs of all community members while prioritizing campus wellness. I hope the University of Huddersfield to adopt this proposal pointing to a healthy, sustainable and inclusive academic environment.
If you want to add something to this idea or want to express something, do not hesitate to express in the comment section below.
Comments
This is a great idea in theory, though may be a bit unreliable with implementation. With what I can remember off the top of my head, there are a few designated smoking-free areas across the campus, such as by the stairs that lead from the library entrance to the bridge crossing towards the 'Charles Sykes' building, as indicated by the 'no-smoking' signs. Although, as evidenced by the number of cigarette butts I often see strewn across the ground, the current signage posted there doesn't seem to act as much of a deterrent. So it may also be a good idea to also try and think of potential solutions to prevent this from happening further.
Our smoke free campus The University is committed to the health and wellbeing of our students, staff and visitors. As part of this we're taking the first step on a journey to create a campus free from tobacco smoke. Evidence shows that if people don’t start using tobacco by age 26, they probably never will. We want to create a "new normal" where people study, work, research and relax in an environment where smoking is seen as unusual. Our policy on smoking states that you must not smoke or vape inside University buildings including entrances, covered walkways and doorways, LUU or in vehicles when used for University business. As well as this, between 8am and 6pm you are asked not to smoke outside on the smoke free campus. This includes: Main campus (including LUU and with these boundaries: Woodhouse Lane, Clarendon Road, Mount Preston Street, Leeds General Infirmary – LGI - and the inner ring road). Western campus (Leeds University Business School and Law School). Fairbairn House. All University-owned and managed residences. All University-owned sports grounds (eg Sports Park Weetwood and Bodington Playing Fields). You can still vape outside on the Smokefree campus as it is recognised by Public Health England as an aid to quit smoking. The policy applies to all students, staff, visitors and contractors and covers all types of smoking and vaping products (including cigarettes, cigars, tobacco, and e-cigarettes). If you want to cut down or stop smoking Free support is currently available to help students who would like to cut down or quit smoking. For more information see the Quit Smoking webpages. Find out more about the smoke free campus. More information You can find out more information on the BBC website This is the policy Of university of Leeds regarding smoking and vaping. Why our university stay behind regarding the similar one?