Published: June 15, 2007 12:25 pm      

IUS to go tobacco-free

Use to be allowed only inside personal vehicles beginning Aug. 1

IU Southeast will go tobacco-free, except for in personal vehicles, starting Aug. 1, the New Albany campus announced Thursday evening in a release.

The move comes in accordance with a campus-wide mandate from Indiana University President Adam W. Herbert. He said in February that all IU campuses will be tobacco free by the end of the year.

Under the new policy, the use or sale of tobacco products is prohibited on university-owned, operated or leased property or vehicles at any time.

Smoking in personal vehicles, however, is allowed. The policy extends to all university property, including the Paul W. Ogle Cultural and Community Center and all campus sports facilities.

Enforcement of the policy will be handled through the existing processes in place at the university. Students, faculty and staff have been advised of the new policy.

“It is our goal to preserve the freedom of all members of the IUS family who choose to smoke, while protecting the rights of nonsmokers who wish to enjoy our campus without being affected by second-hand smoke,” said Chancellor Sandra R. Patterson-Randles in the release.

Smoking cessation programs will be offered to everyone at little or no cost to participants. Continuation of the cessation programs will be evaluated annually by the university to determine if the programs should be continued based on interest and participation.