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SUNY Potsdam to become 100% tobacco-free campus Aug. 1

Posted 5/16/19

POTSDAM — Effective Aug. 1 SUNY Potsdam will become a 100% tobacco-free campus. No tobacco use will be allowed within buildings or on grounds owned or leased by the college, according to a press …

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SUNY Potsdam to become 100% tobacco-free campus Aug. 1

Posted

POTSDAM — Effective Aug. 1 SUNY Potsdam will become a 100% tobacco-free campus.

No tobacco use will be allowed within buildings or on grounds owned or leased by the college, according to a press release from SUNY Potsdam.

The expanded policy covers all tobacco products, including cigarettes, cigars, hookah-smoked products, electronic smoking devices/electronic cigarettes, bidis, kreteks, electronic aerosol delivery systems, smokeless tobacco and snuff.

“In keeping with our mission as an educational institution, SUNY Potsdam has taken this step to help promote and protect the health of our students, our employees and our visitors,” said Kristen Esterberg, SUNY Potsdam president. “The U.S. Surgeon General has found that tobacco-free campus policies are effective in reducing the harmful effects of secondhand smoke, helping prevent tobacco initiation, and promoting cessation.”

In addition to SUNY system support for tobacco-free campuses, a recent campus-wide survey indicates that the SUNY Potsdam campus supports outdoor tobacco policies, the release said.

“I understand this 100% tobacco free campus policy will pose hardship for some, but after considerable discussion with many on campus, and given everything we know about the harmful effects of tobacco and secondhand smoke, it is essential for us to take this step. If you smoke, vape or chew tobacco, I hope you will take this opportunity to cut back or quit altogether,” Esterberg said.

New signs will be installed around campus and ash receptacles will be removed.