91�Թ�

The 91�Թ� will begin the new year with a smoke-free campus.

Governing Council yesterday approved a new smoke-free policy that prohibits smoking and vaping tobacco, cannabis and other products on all 91�Թ� property, including in vehicles.

The new policy, which takes effect Jan. 1, is being implemented on all three 91�Թ� campuses to ensure students, faculty and staff – as well as visitors and the surrounding community – enjoy a safe and healthy environment.

The university has launched a website that answers questions about the new policy and provides links to resources.

“The health risks associated with smoking and second-hand smoke are significant and well-documented,” said Kelly Hannah-Moffat, 91�Թ�’s vice-president of human resources and equity.

“We want our 91�Թ� community members to be able to go about their work, studies and other activities without exposure to the dangers posed by second-hand smoke.”

Statistics from the Canadian Cancer Society link smoking to the deaths of 37,000 people annually in Canada. That makes smoking a significant cause of preventable disease, disability and premature death in the country, according to the Canadian Council for Tobacco Control.

Health Canada, meanwhile, estimates as many as 800 non-smokers die each year from heart disease and lung cancer as a consequence of their exposure to second-hand smoke.

91�Թ� first announced plans to change its decades-old smoking policy in November. The new policy comes on the heels of the province’s decision to allow the smoking of cannabis in public spaces – a move that could increase the danger of second-hand smoke exposure.

Read more about 91�Թ�’s smoke-free policy

By going smoke-free, 91�Թ� will join other North American universities and colleges that have decided to stamp out smoking on their campuses.

91�Թ�’s new smoke-free policy applies to all employees, students, volunteers, contractors and visitors. It includes an exemption for Indigenous ceremonial practices and will allow for medical accommodations in accordance with the law. 91�Թ� Mississauga and 91�Թ� Scarborough will also be allowed to implement designated smoking areas during a transition period.

Hannah-Moffat said the university is committed to providing a safe, healthy environment and to support students, staff and faculty as 91�Թ�’s smoke-free policy is implemented. That includes helping smokers who want to quit.

“We want to do what we can to promote and encourage a healthy lifestyle,” she said.

Staff and faculty have access to a smoking-cessation program through Green Shield, 91�Թ�’s health benefits provider, as well as an online course that’s available through the university’s employee and family assistance program. Students, meantime, can access smoking-cessation programs through health and wellness centres at 91�Թ� Scarborough and the downtown Toronto campus, as well as at the Health and Counselling Centre at 91�Թ� Mississauga.