Ann Becker UMass Amherst Public Health Nurse Tobacco Free UMass A public University’s Experience

Ann BeckerUMass Amherst Public Health Nurse

Tobacco Free UMass A public University’s Experience

2

Disclosures

No conflicts or commercial interests to disclose

I smoked in College- (I would not have admitted that back then)

3

Overview

Public University Specific Issues• Challenges• Benefits

The implementation process• Budget• Communications• Signage• Resources to support students and staff• Enforcement

Evolving and sustaining the program

4

Background: Fast UMass Facts

Large University in a small town

• 28,000 students ( graduate & undergraduate)• Greater than 6,000 employees• Located on 14,000 acres• 12,000 residential undergraduates in 45 dormitories

Town of Amherst has a population of 35,000-this includes the student population ( 52% under 24)

5

UMass Tobacco Free in July 2013

First interest & passion of students, faculty & staff in 2009

The policy was formed by the University Health Council 2010

Voted in by the faculty senate in 2011 Implementation driven through the chancellor's

office Now program is in University Health Services 100% Tobacco Free No E-Cig No Kiosks

6

Benefits

Fits in with the green and sustainable initiatives of the campus

Advocating for the quiet majority

Winning over those on the fence

Harm Reduction

7

Challenges

Bureaucratic System• Steering the ship in a

new direction Patience in the process

Consensus Building

Managing expectations

Who owns the program?

Enforcement

8

Budget & Cost Considerations

Marketing & Branding• Developing the logo• Advertising-Print • Signage

Staff Education Opportunities

Staff!

Supplies:• Pharmaceuticals-NRT’s• Covita• Promotional Giveaways• Buy a Hookah!

9

What message do you want to convey?

Positive Framework To the point, but….

10

Resources & Support

First decide who you are supporting: Students & Staff??

Tobacco Treatment Specialists: UMass Worcester has a great program

Nicotine Replacement-At a discount

Train the entire Health Service Staff

Screening at every visit

11

Enforcement & Education

Try not to get stuck in enforcement arguments

Will be an ongoing challenge

Educating Supervisors is critical element

Engage as many people as you can

But, at the end of the day…. It IS University Policy

12

Evolving and sustaining the program

Plan for the need to sustain the program for a long time

Where will responsibility for sustaining the program sit? • Department • staff• advisory committee

Integrating tobacco education into the campus culture

Ann Beckerabecker@uhs.umass.edu

Thank You!