Under the University’s tobacco-free initiative, smoking and tobacco use will be prohibited in University-owned and -managed properties beginning July 1, 2010.
Research shows tobacco use constitutes a significant health hazard.
With this initiative, the University continues its tradition of being a leader on important social and health issues, and of translating knowledge gained through research into practice.
To help the WUSTL community prepare for the change and help those who wish to become tobacco-free, the University is working collaboratively with the community to support tobacco-use cessation efforts.
Myriad programs and events are offered to help students, faculty and staff quit smoking and using tobacco products, continuing this month with the Great American Smokeout Nov. 19.
The American Cancer Society instituted the Great American Smokeout in 1976 to inspire smokers to refrain from smoking for a day and to learn about resources that can help them quit permanently.
Faculty and staff are invited to visit Brookings Hall, Room 300, between 7:30-9:30 a.m. and between 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Nov. 19 to meet representatives from the American Lung Association and People Resources and discuss tips, strategies and programs to assist employees in quitting tobacco use. Attendees will receive survival packs, can participate in a raffle and, during the midday session, receive a free chair massage.
Throughout the Danforth Campus Nov. 19, WUSTL Dining Services will sell a special “Crudite to Go Cup” — carrots, cucumbers, grape tomatos, zucchini, squash and ranch dip — to help tobacco users make it through the day without tobacco.
Also on the Danforth Campus Nov. 19, Student Health Services will visit various dining facilities during lunchtime to help introduce students to programs and services to help them quit.
Tobacco-free programs
The University recognizes that quitting tobacco use can be a significant personal challenge. It is offering faculty, staff and students several programs to help them be successful.
Faculty and staff can participate in the “Preparing to Quit” and “Freedom From Smoking” programs in the coming months.
In the 40-minute “Preparing to Quit” program, experts will discuss the benefits of tobacco cessation and what it takes to be successful in quitting. “Preparing to Quit” will be offered Nov. 17 and Dec. 22 at 12:10 p.m. in Wilson Hall, Room 214.
“Freedom From Smoking” is a seven-week program beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesdays starting Jan. 5, 2010. It provides participants support and skills to permanently quit tobacco use.
It is free to benefits-eligible faculty and staff and is available to other members of the WUSTL community for $50. Smoking cessation products are available at a discount to participating faculty and staff.
For more information about the Danforth Great American Smokeout event for faculty and staff or WUSTL’s “Preparing to Quit” or “Freedom From Smoking” programs, call the Office of Human Resources at 935-5990 or e-mail Susan Zaber at susan_zaber@wustl.edu.
Students with health insurance through Aetna can join the Aetna Quit & Fit Tobacco Cessation program.
To access the program, visit quitandfit.com/aetna or aetnastudenthealth/wustl or call Quit & Fit at 877-330-2746.
Betsy Foy, Ed.D., assistant director of Student Health Services, is available to work with students who would like an individualized quitting plan, continued support in quitting or nicotine replacement medication.
For more information, contact Foy at 935-7386 or betsy_foy@wustl.edu.
Students, faculty and staff also can take advantage of free online smoking cessation programs, including the American Lung Association’s “Freedom From Smoking” program at LungUSA.org; the National Alliance for Tobacco Cessation’s “EX Plan” at BecomeAnEX.org; and “QuitNet” at QuitNet.com.
Students and employees can also call 1-800-QUITNOW or visit smokefree.gov for counseling and other information about quitting tobacco use.
For more information, visit wellnessconnection.wustl.edu or healthyliving.wustl.edu.