The UT Board of Trustees has passed a resolution that allows UTC to become a smoke-free campus by January 2019.
Chancellor Steven Angle released the following statement about how it is to be implemented.
"Tobacco use is the leading cause of premature and preventable death, responsible for 480,000 deaths a year in the United States. The 2014 Surgeon General’s Report found that cigarette smoking alone is responsible for more deaths than HIV/AIDS, alcohol, motor vehicle crashes, homicide, suicide, illegal drugs, and fires—combined.
"We know that tobacco addiction begins almost exclusively among youth and young adults. In fact, 99 percent of smokers begin smoking and using other forms of tobacco by age 26, making college and university campuses a critical target for tobacco use prevention and cessation efforts.
"Over the past few years, faculty, staff, students, and community leaders have engaged in discussions on how to approach this effort. The UT Board of Trustees recently passed a resolution that allows UTC to become a smoke-free campus. After consulting with faculty, student, and staff groups the Executive Leadership Team has unanimously agreed that UTC should become a smoke-free campus.
"UTC will begin a year-long process in January 2018 toward the goal of becoming a smoke-free campus in January 2019. In accordance with Tennessee state law, the definition of “smoke-free” includes prohibition of both lighted tobacco products—cigarettes, cigars, pipes, etc.—and electronic cigarettes and similar devices. The implementation plan will include a comprehensive communication effort focused on cessation support as well as enforcement and policy management.
"I will be appointing members to serve on a critical implementation taskforce to undertake this effort. Marisa Colston, interim head of Health and Human Performance, and Carol Oglesby, health educator in Student Development, will serve as co-chairs of this group. The group will be seeking input and ideas from the campus as an implementation plan takes shape. I hope you will take the time to participate when given the opportunities."