UO campus tobacco-free starting Sept. 1
EUGENE, Ore. - Smoke 'em if you got 'em: The University of Oregon campus goes smoke and tobacco free starting Saturday, Sept. 1.
The new change, made official by Oregon Administrative Rule 571-050-0005, bans the use of all tobacco products on property owned or controlled by the UO, including its primary campus footprint in Eugene, the UO in Portland at the White Stag Block, the Oregon Institute of Marine Biology in Charleston and the Pine Mountain Observatory near Bend.
The change applies to buildings, athletic and entertainment facilities (both indoor and outdoor), sidewalks, roadways, parking lots and grounds.
“The University of Oregon is now a healthier campus,” said UO President Michael Gottfredson. "I appreciate the leadership of the governor, and the hard work of our students and other campus and community members in getting us to this day."
For the past two years, health and wellness professionals on campus have prepared for the transition with education campaigns and cessation support for users of tobacco products.
The UO provided 167 students with products to help them quit tobacco in the past year from the University Health Center.
In addition, faculty and staff were provided with support if they wished to stop using tobacco products.
Support included free nicotine replacement products and cessation counseling, and will continue as the ban goes into effect.
Led by the University Health Center and the recently launched Healthy Oregon, the goal for the first year is to provide education and awareness about the important change to encourage compliance with the new policy.
Enforcement may include a $30 fine for repeated violation of the policy.
“Tobacco use is the number one preventable killer of Oregonians, causing approximately 25 percent of all deaths in our state,” said Dr. Patrick F. Luedtke, senior public health officer and medical director at the Community & Behavioral Health clinics of Lane County’s Department of Health and Human Services. “The University of Oregon’s decision to go tobacco free is a bold and timely step that numerous studies and real world experience shows will decrease lung cancer, heart disease, stroke and respiratory illnesses such as asthma and lung infections in staff, students and the community.”
In addition to the public health benefits of becoming smoke and tobacco free, the change will mean less litter on campus. Each year, the University Health Center staff and peer health educators volunteer for cigarette butt clean-up efforts across the 295-acre campus and collect approximately 7,000 butts in a day, and more than 18,000 each year.
In all likelihood this smoking law for the U of O won't and can't be enforced.
 @heater Like during the football game this weekend.
"Sorry sir, but you can't have a smoke with that beer".
Another Nanny law. When will people stop bothering people?
p.s. I don't smoke.
@BakerOregon @heater It is just the nature of some folks that can't stand to see someone doing anything they enjoy. I don't smoke either, but it is not illegal, they sure do like to collect taxes on it.Â
 @BakerOregon When will smokers stop blowing second-hand smoke my way, which really "bothers" me? Good for U of O.
land of freedom has moved to another country
 @Iam1woody Yeah, the "freedom" to blow second-hand smoke into my face. So sad to see it go.
@felines99 @Iam1woody I have never had some one blow smoke in my face.what is it your doing to people to make them want to treat you with such disrespect,or do you mean you can smell the smoke when some one smokes near you.?
@felines99 @Iam1woody oh ok when you said some one blowing smoke in your face I thought you ment some one was Blowing Smoke In To Your Face.what you mean is you dont like breathing second hand smoke which is understandable.mean I hate breathing car exhaust.and lets face cars kill more people than cigs and they are worse for the planet,we should get those banned from campus also because It is not healthy and i hate when they blow that disgusting exhaust in my face while i am sitting there reading a book or drinking a soda,Â
 @Iam1woody  @felines99  @Iam1woody Unless you've never been in the presence of a smoker, or in a group which included smokers, you HAVE had someone blow smoke in your face. Second-hand smoke is released by the smoker every time he exhales.
Just another goverment control on our lives