UK Celebrates Third Anniversary as a Tobacco-Free Campus

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 14, 2012) − The University of Kentucky will celebrate its third anniversary as a tobacco-free campus and join with college campuses and health groups across the nation for the American Cancer Society's 37th Annual Great American Smokeout.

A Tobacco-free Tailgate in honor of the Great American Smokeout will be held 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the Rose Street walkway next to the Mining and Minerals Building. UK’s Tobacco-free Task Force, the University Health Service, College of Pharmacy, College of Nursing, and the Student Health Advisory Council are sponsoring the fun-filled event with the UK Cheerleaders and the UK Wildcat.

 Students, staff, and faculty are invited to attend and enjoy:

• Free “cold turkey” sandwiches, s'mores, and hot chocolate

• Corn hole and other tailgating games

• Prizes including T-shirts to the first 200 people who attempt a Tobacco Jeopardy question and 100 Starbucks $1-off coupons

• Drawing for Gift Cards from Bluegrass Hospitality Group restaurants

• Music

• Information about quitting tobacco

UK's tobacco-free policy began three years ago on Nov. 19, 2009, with the goal of making UK a healthier place to live, work, and learn. The initiative is spearheaded by the Tobacco-free Task Force, co-chaired by Ellen Hahn, professor in the UK College of Nursing and Anthany Beatty, assistant vice president for Campus Services. The members of the task force represent a diverse cross-section of students, staff, and faculty from departments and service areas at UK.

“Tobacco use remains the number one killer in Kentucky and it costs all of us as taxpayers over $1.7 billion per year treating people who get sick from smoking,” said Hahn, who is also director of the Kentucky Center for Smoke-free Policy.

Since the implementation of the tobacco-free policy which prohibits the use of all tobacco products on campus (cigarettes, chew, pipes, cigars, snuff, electronic cigarettes, etc.), the university has seen a dramatic increase in employees and students enrolled in programs to quit smoking or use tobacco. The university continues to provide free nicotine replacement products for employees, sponsored dependents, and students enrolled in tobacco treatment programs.

“We have seen more than a four-fold increase in use of nicotine replacement for quitting since the policy went into effect.” said Audrey Darville, tobacco treatment specialist for UK HealthCare.

"I am proud of the fact that our flagship university has become a statewide leader in tobacco cessation initiatives and treatment. The impact of that bold move three years ago continues to ripple across the state,” said UK President Eli Capilouto.

For more information about UK's tobacco-free policy, go to: www.uky.edu/Tobaccofree

Media Contact: Ann Blackford at (859) 312-3587 or ann.blackford@uky.edu