Washington University campuses became tobacco-free this past July, which means smoking and tobacco use now is prohibited on all university-owned and -managed properties. The School of Medicine has prohibited tobacco use on school property since 2007.
The university will continue to work with community members to support tobacco-cessation efforts.
“Tobacco use — including smoking and breathing secondhand smoke — constitute a significant health hazard,” says Alan I. Glass, MD, assistant vice chancellor and director of the Habif Health and Wellness Center.
“The tobacco-free policy is an important campus health initiative, and the university is offering support to those affected in hopes of making the transition as easy as possible for our campus community,” Glass says.
For faculty and staff interested in stopping their use of tobacco, the “Preparing to Quit” and “Freedom From Smoking” programs are available.
During the “Preparing to Quit” program, which is 40 minutes, experts will discuss the benefits of tobacco-cessation and what it takes to be successful in quitting. The “Preparing to Quit” class schedule will be posted at wellnessconnection.wustl.edu. Check the website periodically for more information.
In the seven-week “Freedom From Smoking” program, participants can receive support and learn skills to permanently quit tobacco use. This program is free to benefits-eligible faculty and staff and is available to other members of the WUSTL community for $50. For more information, call 935-5990 or e-mail wellnessconnection@wustl.edu.
Faculty and staff members enrolled in the “Freedom From Smoking” program are able to purchase a six-week supply of smoking-cessation medication for $15 via a payroll deduction after completion of the program’s third and seventh classes.
Students have access to tobacco-cessation services through their student health plan. Students can access the “Aetna Quit & Fit Tobacco Cessation” program by visiting quitandfit.com/aetna or aetnastudenthealth.com/wustl or calling “Quit & Fit” at 877-330-2746. Smoking-cessation medications will be made available at no cost for students covered by the Washington University student health insurance.
Betsy Foy, EdD, assistant director of Student Health Services, is available throughout the school year to work with students who would like an individualized quitting plan, continued support in quitting or nicotine-replacement medication.
Several organizations offer free online smoking-cessation programs for all, including the American Lung Association’s Freedom From Smoking program at LungUSA.org; the National Alliance for Tobacco Cessation’s EX Plan at BecomeAnEX.org; and QuitNet at QuitNet.com.
Students and employees also can call 1-800-QUITNOW or visit smokefree.gov for counseling and other information about quitting tobacco use.
Visit wustl.edu/tobaccofree for more information about tobacco-cessation options and the tobacco-free policy. Frequently asked questions and ready-to-download promotional materials also are available on the website.