EUGENE,
Ore. -- (Oct. 4, 2011) - The University of Oregon is launching an education campaign
to prepare students, faculty, staff and visitors for a significant change in
Fall 2012, when the UO will become a smoke and tobacco-free university.
In
November 2010, UO President Richard Lariviere made the announcement and
committed to helping tobacco users in the campus community with support and
assistance to kick their habits.
Over the next 11 months, the UO will
provide students, faculty and staff with support if they choose to stop using
tobacco products before the policy change goes into effect. Support includes free
nicotine replacement products and cessation counseling.
"I am pleased we are making this a reality," said
Lariviere. "Going smoke and tobacco free demonstrates the
university's commitment to the health of everyone on our campus."
During the past several months a
group of employees of the university, led by the University
Health Center and the
recently launched Healthy Campus Initiative, consulted with other smoke and
tobacco-free campuses about best practices and is developing the UO
policy. More information is available
at: http://stfu.uoregon.edu. In addition, the university has planned for
communication to students, faculty, staff and visitors about the impending
changes at UO.
The education campaign aims to be
engaging and entertaining for students with posters, social media messaging and
suggestions for other stress-reducing activities. It will get a big boost of awareness on Oct.
6 when the Oregon Ducks compete with the Cal Bears at Autzen Stadium. Special
edition t-shirts with "Ducks Kick Butt" will be distributed to the nearly
4,000-seat student section to bring awareness to the change coming to campus
next fall.
"Students were a catalyst to the
decision for the University of Oregon to become smoke and tobacco free and
students will be involved in every step of this healthy transition," said Robin
Holmes, vice president for Student Affairs.
"The t-shirts are a fun way to inform people about the change coming to
campus, and to celebrate the UO's leadership in this public health issue and
other endeavors."
"We
applaud the university for becoming smoke and tobacco free, and we are proud of
the ASUO's leadership in making it happen," said Ben Eckstein, president,
Associated Students of the University of Oregon. "I am excited to collaborate with university
administration to make our campus a leader in efforts to promote a healthier
student body."
The smoke and tobacco-free university
campaign focuses on students; however, corresponding messaging will be provided
to faculty, staff, and visitors to campus facilities including athletics and
performing arts venues.
PacificSource is a partner to the
UO's smoke and tobacco free effort with a 2010 gift to promote exercise,
healthy nutrition and tobacco cessation. The company contributed $4 million over
the next five years toward a community health initiative for Oregonians. In
partnership with the UO and Oregon State University, the insurer is funding
wellness research, healthy campus initiatives and a Civil War Series
sponsorship as a platform for community outreach.
About the University of Oregon
The University of Oregon is among the
108 institutions chosen from 4,633 U.S. universities for top-tier designation
of "Very High Research Activity" in the 2010 Carnegie Classification
of Institutions of Higher Education. The UO also is one of two Pacific
Northwest members of the Association of American Universities.
MEDIA
CONTACT: Julie
Brown, UO media relations, 541-346-3185, julbrown@uoregon.edu
LINK: Smoke and Tobacco Free
University, http://stfu.uoregon.edu
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