Open Forum: Tobacco Free UAlbany
November 30th, 2011 3pm
Campus Center Terrace Lounge
University Life Council (ULC) Chair Gulatee made introductory comments to open the Tobacco
Free policy discussion on Wednesday November 30th. She reviewed the grass roots of the
policy and the journey it has had thus far here at UAlbany. Chair Gulatee outlined the charge of
the ULC, and its role to communicate with the stakeholders around the campus to collect
information, views and overall attitudes for the policy. Once the material is gathered, Chair
Gulatee explained the council will review and forward the information onto the President. Chair
Gulatee welcomed the attendants and introduced the open forum liaison:
o Dr. Peter Vellis, Medical Director of the University at Albany Health Center
The floor was opened for comments:

Smoke-filled offices and classrooms
o Concerns from faculty, staff and students were brought up regarding smoke filled
buildings
o In addition to yesterday’s mentioned areas, Earth Science and Subbasement of
Campus Center were specifically mentioned
o Signage is up at these locations, but some smokers fail to abide by the posted
guidelines
o Verbal requests are not taken seriously, and in some cases, the folks making the
requests were treated rudely/disrespected

Residential Areas
o Residential Life staff members as well as students vocalized shared concern with the
failure to comply with no smoking area signage
o Smoke-filled stairwells seem to be a problem area
o It was also reported that even if smokers were abiding by all signage, other factors
(i.e. wind blowing smoke into buildings/air vents or only one walkway to get to a
particular building) continue to force encounters with second hand smoke.

UAlbany Daycare Center
o Safety concerns for the children on campus were expressed
o The health experts reviewed a warning from the U.S. Surgeon General indicating that
there is no proof of the ability to limit second hand smoke…. While precautions can
be taken to reduce, exposure at any level is unsafe and unhealthy.

Downtown Campus
o There were also reports of smoke-filled offices at the Downtown Campus
o A staff member explained that her health complications have become so severe that at
times, she has to don a mask at work.
o Outside contracts were also reported as an issue. If the campus were to move towards
a Tobacco Free Campus, it was asked that the Tobacco Free Task Force take this
population into consideration to include.

E-Cigarettes
o E-Cigarettes have recently grown in exposure and the question was brought up if they
would be included or excluded from the policy
o It was explained that these electrical simulation products allow the smoker to engage
in the tactile sensation and taste associated with smoking as well as fulfill the nicotine
craving. The replacement product allows the user to inhale a vaporized mist, cutting
back on the smoke odor
o Health experts shared that the research on E-Cigarettes is still forthcoming. Health
risks associated with the vapor produced is one of the areas lacking research.
o What studies have shown is that smokers who do utilize E-Cigarettes smoke fewer
cigarettes/lower weekly consumption.
o As the “jury is still out” on E-Cigarette products, most campuses that have gone
Tobacco Free have also banned the use of E-Cigarettes

Admissions
o Disturbances on tours with prospective students and their families were reported
o Parents and students alike have provided negative feedback based on the smoking
habits around the UAlbany campus
o Though most encounters were not with large groups of smokers, those that were seem
to be congregated at the entrances of buildings and disturbed the walking patters of
those who did not wish to walk through the “cloud”

Enforcement
o Concerns for the lack of enforcement throughout campus were brought up for
discussion
o Fundamentally, it is difficult to enforce- as it is not against the law, but rather in the
university code
o This is of particular concern for smoking in high intake (as addressed above) and high
traffic areas where smokers may gather an expose passerby’s- including library,
campus center, earth science
o With regards to approaching someone who is smoking or a group of individuals who
are smoking those attending the forum reported conversations ranging from respectful
and compliant to vulgar, aggressive and violent.
o In concern for the later, violators of the current smoking policy may not be
approached, reprimanded, etc.
o It was suggested that Social Norms on the UAlbany campus may have folks believing
the majority of the campus smokes, when in reality less than a quarter of the
population does. As someone in the majority may be more willing to approach
someone in the minority, exposing social norms can play a role in enforcement.
o This was the case for crimes in the 80’s with litter and graffiti… by changing the
accepted behaviors, persons in the community were better able to self-regulate.

Accommodating the addiction
o Concerns were raised with regards to the support for the smokers
o With productivity already seeing a 1 month per year loss for employees who smoke,
would they receive longer breaks to go off campus?
o Recognizing that nicotine is an addiction, if the campus were to go Tobacco Free
UAlbany would provide emotional and physical support to those looking to quit (i.e.
Employee Assistance Program, University Counseling Center, University Health
Center, American Cancer Society)
o Health experts noted that 75% of current smokers want to quit. In addition, half have
attempted to quit in the past year.
o If the healthy choice is the easy choice a Tobacco Free policy could be what a smoker
needs to help them with their goal of quitting.
o It was reported that campuses that have gone Smoke/Tobacco Free, the number of
individuals who smoke decreased.
o It was made clear that a Tobacco Free campus would not take place overnight, but
rather a gradual culture change for the university.
o If a two year plan were in place, this would give the Tobacco Free Task Force plenty
of time to alert current students, as well as incoming students.

Sanctions
o The question of penalties arose for smoking on campus… if a Tobacco Free policy
was enacted, what could be the potential consequence?
o Ultimately the decision would be drafted outside this group (ULC)
o This would likely be one of the responsibilities of the Tobacco Free Task Force (if
formed by the President)
o Based on the policies of those who have a Tobacco Free campus, it was suggested
that the policy would fall under the Community Rights and Responsibilities section of
the student handbook.
o Reported violators of the code of conduct would presumably go through the campus
Judicial Office and sanctioned according.
o The primary deterrent would likely be the shift of the campus culture. Rule breaking
smokers would be in clear violation of campus policy, and thus more approachable by
a peer/co-worker/administrator. The peer influence/social norms would begin to shift
making it less comfortable for those trying to “sneak” a cigarette on campus.

Dwindling of Rights…What’s next?
o Alcohol Free
o Sugar Free
o Cell phone Free
o The Tobacco Free policy is not about the right/legality of smoking, but rather to
protect the health of those exposed from known carcinogens
o The topic of pregnant women on campus also was mentioned during this discussion…
and the concern for their health/well-being

Closing points
o ULC will continue to encourage and explore this topic and make recommendations
accordingly
o If enacted, the policy will not change the campus overnight nor will it come without
adequate communication to the campus-wide community. It is expected that this will
be a gradual, phased policy that will be specifically designed for the UAlbany
community.
o Reminder, anyone who was not able to make it to yesterday or today’s discussions is
invited to contact Chair Gulatee @ ygulatee@uamail.albany.edu