Tobacco-free Resources Available to Students

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 13, 2009) - The following is a message Student Affairs recently sent to students regarding tobacco treatment resources.

On Thursday, Nov.19, 2009, the University of Kentucky will implement a campus-wide tobacco-free policy, taking a leading role in creating a healthier Kentucky. This implementation coincides with the American Cancer Society's 34th Great American Smokeout.

As the state's flagship university, UK believes in fostering a healthy environment for all members of the campus community. The tobacco-free policy puts employees, guests and students first by providing a healthy, tobacco-free environment and decreasing exposure to secondhand smoke.

UK joins more than 300 other United States colleges and universities with tobacco-free or smoke-free policies in place for the entire campus, both indoors and outdoors. Additional information about UK's tobacco-free campus and compliance training materials are available at www.uky.edu/TobaccoFree.

With a great investment in its students, UK offers many resources for those interested in quitting tobacco use. Among these resources are nicotine replacement therapy products, including patches and/or gum, at no cost to those students (and their spouses or sponsored dependents) who are enrolled and actively participate in one of the many UK-sponsored tobacco treatment programs.

Students interested in tobacco cessation classes, individual services and tobacco cessation-related prescriptions are encouraged to visit University Health Service (http://www.ukhealthcare.uky.edu/uhs/SmokeFree.htm). UHS has two certified tobacco treatment specialists available for UK students who have paid their health fee to assist them in their efforts to quit. 

UK's Counseling & Testing Center (http://www.uky.edu/StudentAffairs/Counseling/) also offers various counseling formats to help with tobacco cessation, reducing tobacco use, and managing stress and cravings for UK students enrolled at UK for at least six credit hours.

For students who do not want to quit but need help to feel more comfortable at work or during class, nicotine replacement gum may be purchased in campus convenience stores, gift shops at UK Chandler and Good Samaritan hospitals, Kentucky Clinic Pharmacy, or University Health Service Pharmacy. These locations, except for the hospital gift shops, also carry the nicotine patch. Some products are significantly less expensive than those found in commercial pharmacies.

A full list of resources for managing cravings or quitting tobacco use with reference to students, employees and the general public, along with information about UK's tobacco-free policy, is available at www.uky.edu/TobaccoFree.