Pace University
Smoking Policy Committee
Summary and Proposal
June 25, 2014
Table of Contents
Introduction and Background
3
Findings
4
Recommendations
6
Proposal Alternative “A”
7
Proposal Alternative “B”
8
Conclusion
9
Appendix
10
2
Introduction and Background
The university’s current policy on smoking, “prohibits smoking or carrying of any ignited tobacco
containing products, within a 50 foot perimeter, to all facilities owned, operated or leased by Pace University, at any
University-sponsored event or program, or in any vehicle owned, operated or leased by Pace University"1. It has been
suggested by some members of the university community that further efforts to limit smoking on
campus should be made. The Division of Human Resources invited students, staff and faculty from
the university to participate on a one-time Smoking Policy Committee. The committee became
active in the Spring of 2014 and was charged with making a proposal for a new policy to address
measures and other related considerations regarding smoking on each of the university campuses.
The committee was made up of 28 participants including staff, faculty and students from New York
City, Pleasantville and Law School campuses. It had a diverse representation of individuals from the
Law School, Dyson College of Arts and Sciences, Lubin School of Business, School of Education,
General Services, Center for Community Action and Research, Pace Academy for Applied
Environmentalists, Office of Government and Community Relations, University Relations, Health
Care Unit, Enrollment Management, Student Affairs, Mortola Library, Financial Services, Risk
Management and Human Resources.
The committee’s activities, facilitated by Human Resources, included monthly and semi-monthly
meetings. Participants discussed and reviewed scholarly articles on the topic, demographic data, New
York City and New York State laws and regulations regarding smoking and smoking related
activities, recommendations and activities of entities such as the American Lung Association.
Participants reached out to other higher education institutions to see implementation plans for
policies and procedures with current smoke-free policies as well as phase-out policies.
This proposal, therefore, outlines recommendations by the Smoking Policy Committee to address
next steps to address smoking on campus in line with Pace’s strategic goal of Building a Culture of
Community at the university.
Pace University, Employee Handbook, Policy on Smoking: http://www.pace.edu/human-resources/employeehandbook-policies#Smoking.
1
3
Findings
Most recently a number of higher educational institutions, including public and private
institutions, have implemented an equivalent of a smoke-free campus policy which bans smoking
indoors and outdoors on the basis of a responsibility to promote the health of students, faculty, staff
and visitors while they are on campus. 1,343 campuses in the U.S. have adopted 100% smoke-free
campus policies that eliminate smoking in indoor and outdoor areas across the entire campus,
including residences, 31 are from New York State which includes 20 that are also 100% tobaccofree.2 These institutions include CUNY colleges (24 campuses) where the smoke-free policy went
into effect in September 2012, and selected SUNY schools where the smoke-free campus
environment was voted to take effect in January 2014.
Many of the committee discussions focused on health and well-being of the university community,
including students, staff, faculty and visitors. The American College Health Association
acknowledges that tobacco use in any form is a significant health hazard outlining their support of
the health goals of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Healthy People 2020
initiative.3 Demographic findings show that over one-third of those ages 18 to 25 are smokers.4
About 20% of university students smoke.5 Further, the negative health effects of secondhand
exposure are well documented among young adults and general adult population.6 Particular focus
was made with regard to the example that the university as an institution is providing to students
and what an educational institution’s obligations may be to our student population and the extent of
moral obligations to individuals, especially young individuals who smoke, or are impacted by smoke.
A number of higher educational institutions include smoking cessation programs as part of the
transition into a smoke-free campus environment. Vassar College’s smoke-free policy will take effect
July, 2015 while they prepare their community for the new policy, which includes a Smoking
Cessation Training offered in the Spring of 2014. 7
Committee members outlined different smoking-related products and impact of each. The American
Heart Association noted the increased use of e-cigarettes by American teens urging the need for the
Food and Drug Administration to take immediate action to oversee these products.8 Further, the
Smokefree and Tobacco-Free U.S. and Tribal Colleges and Universities, April 29, 2014, http://nosmoke.org/pdf/smokefreecollegesuniversities.pdf.
3 ACHA Guidelines, Position Statement on Tobacco on College and University Campuses, November 2011.
4 Brown, Carpenter and Sutfin, Occasional Smoking in College: Who, What, When and Why? Addictive Behaviors, 36
(2011) 1199-1204.
5 Insider Higher Ed, The Problem With Smoke-Free Campuses, February 17, 2012,
http://www.insidehighered.com/views/2012/02/17/essay-arguing-campus-smoking-bans-are-unsafe, accessed May 13,
2014.
6 Seo, Macy, Torabi and Middlestadt, The effect of a smoke-free campus policy on college students’ smoking behaviors
and attitutes, Preventive Medicine 53 (2011) 347-352.
7 Vassar College, Smoke Free, http://smokefree.vassar.edu/news/announcements/2013-2014/131205-smokingcessation-workshop.html, accessed May 13, 2014.
8 American Heart Association, FDA Must Act Now on E-Cigarettes, Says American Heart Association, September 5,
2013, http://newsroom.heart.org/news/fda-must-act-now-on-e-cigarettes-says-american-heart-association, accessed
May 13, 2014.
2
4
American Lung Association supports measures to prevent tobacco use by youth.9 The New York
City Council passed a law that extends the NYC Smoke-Free Air Act to include e-cigarettes.10
The committee also noted many of the current challenges with the existing smoking policy,
particularly limitations of enforcement measures. Some accounts of the experience of students and
staff include the walk through the cloud of smoke that is consistently present in front of 1 Pace
Plaza. It was noted that the use of Security staff has not been effective in enforcing the existing
smoking policy. From the experience of other institutions who implemented a smoke-free policy, a
phase-out period included a marketing and educational campaign, as well as the establishment of
committees to address enforcement measures.11 Many institutions included FAQs addressing
enforcement and education measure to effective create a smoke-free campus environment.12
Review of city and state laws and regulations found that different rules may apply to different
campuses. The Pleasantville campus environment, particularly with the development of the Master
Plan presents unique challenges in enforcing the current smoking policy. Further, the Pleasantville
campus is considered by many a public open campus community that welcomes many visitors,
particularly kids to the library or the environmental center. Further, NYC law, unlike NY State,
prohibits tobacco purchases to individuals under 21 years old, which is predominantly the
university’s undergraduate population, and if individuals are not allowed to buy tobacco products,
then the use of products on campus should not be allowed either.13 Moreover, Pace’s NYC campus
has a large international student population and individuals come from countries where smoking
practices and legal requirements may be different.
Once a proposal for a smoke-free campus was made, an informal survey of the committee
participants was conducted. The poll consisted of six questions. The questions and results are
included in the Appendix for further reference. Most notably, the poll results showed that the
majority of committee participants favored “smoke- and tobacco-free” language to be included in
the policy, while some participants strongly favored the “smoke-free” language only. Many
committee members emphasized the need for student vote and participation in any decision
regarding a smoke-free policy proposal. The entire university community should have the
opportunity to voice their opinions, including students, staff and faculty.
American Lunch Association, Tobacco Policy Statement, http://www.lung.org/associations/charters/plainsgulf/advocacy/tobacco-policy-statement.html?print=t, accessed May 13, 2014.
10 The New York City Council,
http://legistar.council.nyc.gov/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=1526765&GUID=15D04C6D-C760-40EA-88A42E40C0374E43&Options=ID%7CText%7C&Search=1210-2013.
11 Conversation between Anna Vidiaev, Employee Relations Manager, Human Resources, Pace University with Dr.
Balawajder, Head of Health Services at Vassar College on Friday, April 25 th, 2014.
12
Some of these examples include CUNY and Vassar College.
13 New York City Council: http://legistar.council.nyc.gov/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=664290&GUID=4223E26A7F3F-4B7D-9E3A-0E3F7B850155&Options=ID%7CText%7C&Search=0250.
9
5
Recommendations
In an effort to obtain the greatest range of feedback from the university community it is
recommended that a university wide feedback is sought regarding the proposed two alternatives of
the new policy, “The Proposal,” to better assess the understanding, thoughts, feeling, experience and
suggestions of students, faculty, staff on all university campuses. One alternative will focus on a
Smoke-Free Campus Policy; while the other alternatives will focus on the Smoke- and Tobacco-free
Campus policy.
The following points were discussed in the consideration of expanding the university’s existing
smoking policy.
o Executive Level Input: The initiative should be presented to the university
community as Pace University’s Institutional Initiative, proposed by the Operations
Committee.
o Smoke-Free Environment: The university community should have input on whether
the university establishes a smoke free environment.14
o University Community: The University should actively involve the wider university
community in the decision making, i.e. students, faculty and staff.
o Education and Implementation: Awareness and education regarding any new policy
should be made with guidelines for implementation measures, i.e. FAQs
webpage/document, university wide communications, policy update, regular
announcements/reminders, signs, etc. This should be done as a collaborative,
integrated effort of such divisions as University Relations, Human Resources,
General Services, Faculty Council, NYC and Westchester Administrative Staff
Councils, the Student Government Association.
o Enforcement: Enforcement of the policy should be the responsibility of all the
members of the university community. Enforcement measures may be addressed in a
FAQs webpage/document.
The Proposal is to seek university community feedback on one of the following alternatives: 1) A
Smoke-Free Campus Policy; or 2) A Smoke- and Tobacco-Free Campus Policy. The proposed
policy would apply to all Pace facilities and properties, current and future, and to all people who use
Pace University facilities and property, including students, staff, faculty and visitors. Each of the
alternatives and justifications is outlined in the next two sections. A committee representatives
should be appointed to speak at each of the following in the Fall 2014 outlining each of the
alternatives and requesting feedback via survey that will be circulated following each meeting:
- Faculty Council Meeting (NYC and Westchester)
- Staff Admin Council Meeting (NYC and Westchester)
- SGA Community Meeting (NYC and Westchester)
- Law School Faculty Meeting
- Law Student Bar Association Meeting
- Meeting of the Law School Staff
Currently, only the New York City Campus has a designated smoking area. However, this has nevertheless caused
complaints regarding the enforcement measures to ensure that smokers only use the designated smoking area.
14
6
Proposal Alternative “A” - A Smoke-Free Campus Policy
Proposal Policy Statement
The Pace Strategic Plan 2010-2015 calls for “the highest standards of truth, ethical behavior and academic
freedom in every aspect of the University’s life and actions” and programs that “expand and promote Pace’s
campus sustainability initiatives.” The University recognizes the negative impacts tobacco has on both
tobacco and nontobacco users, and that its use causes profound negative impacts on human and
environmental health as well as sustainability locally and worldwide. Pace University is therefore committed
to: providing a healthful, smoke-free teaching, learning and working environment for all users of its facilities
and properties; promoting wellness and prevention on behalf of all members of the Pace University
community; and assisting those members of our community who want to halt the use of tobacco in their own
lives.
Proposal
1. Beginning with the entering class in the year after the policy is adopted (i.e. Fall of 2015), smoking
and use of e-cigarettes and similar devices will be allowed only in designated areas on each
campus. The rule prohibiting smoking within a certain distance of Pace buildings will be revoked.
Designated areas will be recommended by a subcommittee of the Smoking Policy Committee and
Pace University Security.
2. Beginning with admittance of the entering class two years after the policy is adopted (i.e. Fall of
2016), all Pace campuses will be smoke-free and e-cigarette free.
3. Pace will commence a notification campaign regarding the new university policy, as soon as the
policy is adopted.
4. The Smoking Policy Committee will compose a thoughtful, plain language rationale for the new
policy, to be used as a basis for a university-wide education campaign, and in all admission literature,
social media, etc.
5. The Smoking Policy Committee will work with Human Resources on a joint campaign aimed at
University community to promote cessation of smoking through education, FAQs, incentives,
counseling, etc. and it will work with our College of Health Professions and other parts of the
university to develop a program to assist students, staff and faculty who have a desire to stop
smoking.
Justifications for Smoke-Free Only
Impact: There is a distinction between smoking and the use of tobacco products that do not involve the
generation of secondhand smoke. Since Tobacco products do not necessarily impact someone else, therefore
they should not be included in the policy.
Individual Rights: Individuals should be afforded the freedom to decide for himself/herself how to make
the trade-offs between health and pleasure, as long as the rights of others are not being violated directly.
Enforcement: It may be easier to enforce a policy that prohibits e-cigarettes and smoking, rather than a
policy that also prohibits smoke-free tobacco products, given the nature of the use of each of these products.
Evidence of Harm: While there is some evidence of harm from the use of tobacco-products, New York
State legislation prohibits only smoking and smoking related products.
Trend in Higher Education: A trend towards a smoke-free campus environment has been on the rise
nationwide.
7
Proposal Alternative “B” - A Smoke- and Tobacco-Free Campus Policy
Proposal Policy Statement
The Pace Strategic Plan 2010-2015 calls for “the highest standards of truth, ethical behavior and academic
freedom in every aspect of the University’s life and actions” and programs that “expand and promote Pace’s
campus sustainability initiatives.” The University recognizes the negative impacts tobacco has on both
tobacco and nontobacco users, and that its use causes profound negative impacts on human and
environmental health as well as sustainability locally and worldwide. Pace University is therefore committed
to: providing a healthful, smoke and tobacco-free teaching, learning and working environment for all users of
its facilities and properties; promoting wellness and prevention on behalf of all members of the Pace
University community; and assisting those members of our community who want to halt the use of tobacco
in their own lives.
Proposal
1. Beginning with the entering class in the year after the policy is adopted (i.e. Fall of 2015), smoking,
the use of e-cigarettes and similar devices, and the use of tobacco products will be allowed
only in designated areas on each campus. The rule allowing smoking within a certain distance of Pace
buildings will be revoked. Designated areas will be recommended by a subcommittee of the Smoking
Policy Committee and Pace University Security.
2. Beginning with admittance of the entering class two years after the policy is adopted (i.e. Fall of
2016), all Pace campuses will be smoke-free, e-cigarette free and tobacco-free.
3. Pace will commence a notification campaign regarding the new university policy, as soon as the
policy is adopted.
4. The Smoking Policy Committee will compose a thoughtful, plain language rationale for the new
policy, to be used as a basis for a university-wide education campaign, and in all admission literature,
social media, etc.
5. The Smoking Policy Committee will work with Human Resources on a joint campaign aimed at
University community to promote cessation of smoking through education, FAQs, incentives,
counseling, etc. and it will work with our College of Health Professions and other parts of the
university to develop a program to assist students, staff and faculty who have a desire to stop
smoking.
Justifications for Smoke- and Tobacco-Free
Impact: There is a distinction between smoking and the use of tobacco products that do not involve the
generation of secondhand smoke. Given the evidence of harm, both smoke and tobacco products should be
prohibited.
Individual Rights: Individuals should be afforded the freedom to decide for himself/herself how to make
the trade-offs between health and leisure. A policy that promotes the health and well-being of the campus
community does not necessarily violate individual rights.
Enforcement: A blanket policy of prohibition of smoke and tobacco products may be easier to enforce with
educational campaigns and community effort.
Evidence of Harm: There is substantial evidence to support the harm of tobacco use, as well as smoking,
and therefore both should be included in the policy. Policies that restrict tobacco have shown to be effective
to reduce tobacco use.
Trend in Higher Education: A trend towards a smoke- and tobacco-free campus environment has been on
the rise nationwide.
8
Conclusion
In the past year a number of concerns and complaints have arisen from students and staff regarding
smoking policies on Pace University campuses, particularly in New York City and White Plains, Law
School campuses. In fulfilling the Smoking Policy Committee’s goal of reviewing the existing
smoking policy and related considerations, the committee found substantial evidence to support the
harms of smoking and tobacco products, as well as trends in higher educational institutions that
implement either smoke-free or smoke- and tobacco-free campus policies.
In an effort to provide and promote a healthy environment for the Pace University community
including our students, staff, faculty and visitors, it is the recommendation of this ad hoc committee
to implement either a Smoke-Free Campus or alternatively a Smoke- and Tobacco-Free Campus
policy across all university campuses, buildings and facilities, effective September 1, 2015. It is
further recommended that university-wide feedback is sought from students, faculty and staff to
help determine which alternative the University policy should include.
The committee would like to recognize all participants, active, observer and advisory that have
volunteered their time and effort to the committee: Brian Anderson, Edith Arenas-Rivera, Jeff
Blaisdell, Kristen Bloise, Daniel Botting, John Cronin, Diane Cypkin, Angelique Diaz, Ambar
Durango, Brian Evans, Tammy Frary, Caitlin Grand, Douglas Heimbigner, Vanessa Herman,
Matthew Landau, Debbie Levesque, Shawn Livingston, Taylor Longenberger, Ellen Mandel, Frank
McDonald, Richard Myers, Julie Putt, Ivy Riddick, Justin Santore, Anna Vidiaev, P.V., Chauncey
Walker and Ellen Weisbord.
A special note of thanks to Betsy Garti, Associate VPs of Human Resources for her continued
presence, advocacy and sponsorship of the committee.
9
Appendix
Initial Report
Last Modified: 05/07/2014
1. If the committee were to propose a smoke-free environment,
which language should the committee include in the proposal?
#
1
2
3
4
Answer
Smoke Free
Only
Smoke and
Tobacco Free
Other (Please
specify):
I need more
information to
answer this
question
(Please
explain):
Total
Other (Please specify):
Smoke and tobacco free; e-cigarette free
Response
%
4
19%
13
62%
3
14%
1
5%
21
100%
I need more information to answer this question
(Please explain):
If the driver of the policy will be current laws,
then smoke free is appropriate. If we are using
general public health as our reason for policy
development, then tobacco and e-cigs should be
included in the ban as well.
We should ban all tobacco products and ecigarettes and similar devices
Designated smoking areas
Statistic
Min Value
Max Value
Mean
Variance
Standard Deviation
Total Responses
Value
1
4
2.05
0.55
0.74
21
2. Point 1 of JC Proposal: Beginning with the 2014-2015 school year,
smoking, use of tobacco products, and use of e-cigarettes and similar
devices will be allowed only in designated areas on each campus. The
rule allowing smoking within a certain distance of Pace buildings will
10
be revoked. Designated areas will be recommended by a
subcommittee of the Smoking Policy Committee and Pace University
Security.
#
1
2
3
4
5
6
Answer
I strongly agree
with this point.
I somewhat
agree with this
point.
I am neutral on
this point.
I somewhat
disagree with
this point.
I strongly
disagree with
this point.
Please clarify
your answer (if
applicable):
Response
%
10
48%
6
29%
1
5%
2
10%
2
10%
8
38%
Please clarify your answer (if applicable):
Does revoking the rule about smoking certain distance from buildings mean they can smoke near
buildings? Or does it mean we revoke since they can only smoke in designated areas?
I think we need to consider the realities. 1) Will security be able to enforce all this? If we don't
enforce the policy, it's worse than not having it at all. 2) How will long time employees be with this?
Will that be something we want to impose on staff? Will the administration back us on that? I'm not
saying we should base a decision on that, but we should think about how to handle it. So far this plan
is really about students.
Speaking for the law school, we don't have a logical place(s) to designate, so I'd be inclined to keep
the 50 foot rule during the transition to the smoke free campus. A separate point: Would we
consider that designated areas be sheltered from rain and snow?
There may not be logical places to designate for smoking. It may be better to stay with the 50 feet
rule during the transition. If areas are to be designated, is there to be shelter from rain and snow. If
so, that will make it harder to find suitable areas to designate.
Will be tough to enforce by security.
how do we enforce in residence halls
there are multiple res halls, which would require multiple locations for this to succeed
Although keep in mind that Pace has 62 building
Statistic
Min Value
Max Value
Total Responses
Value
1
6
21
3. Point 2 of JC Proposal: Beginning with admittance of the Class of
11
2019*, all Pace campuses will be tobacco-free and e-cigarette/device
free.*refers to the graduating class of 2019, in other words, the
freshmen class admitted for Fall 2015
#
1
2
3
4
5
6
Answer
I strongly agree
with this point.
I somewhat
agree with this
point.
I am neutral on
this point.
I somewhat
disagree with
this point.
I strongly
disagree with
this point.
Please clarify
your answer (if
applicable):
Response
%
12
57%
4
19%
1
5%
4
19%
1
5%
4
19%
Please clarify your answer (if applicable):
I would prefer it be prior to 2019, but will support 2019 if needed.
Same comments as above in terms of the plan being about students and not faculty and staff.
Again, tough to enforce in residence halls
Since these things are not illegal, we should allow allowed use only only in designated areas on each
campus.
Statistic
Min Value
Max Value
Total Responses
Value
1
6
21
4. Point 3 of JC Proposal: In September 2014, Pace will commence a
notification campaign regarding the new university policy.
#
1
2
3
4
Answer
I strongly agree
with this point.
I somewhat
agree with this
point.
I am neutral on
this point.
I somewhat
disagree with
12
Response
%
17
85%
1
5%
1
5%
1
5%
5
6
this point.
I strongly
disagree with
this point.
Please clarify
your answer (if
applicable):
0
0%
6
30%
Please clarify your answer (if applicable):
People do need at least a year to prepare themselves.
As part of the notification campaigh, I favor holding "town meetings" to give students, faculty and
staff an opportunity to be heard
The notification campaign should include one or more events designed to allow students, faculty and
staff to offer comments
students should be invovled with the process now
I think a campus wide vote by students is necessary.
Agreed, but 9/14 seems aggressive to have all program elements developed enough for a
comprehensive roll-out.
Statistic
Min Value
Max Value
Total Responses
Value
1
6
20
5. Point 4 of JC Proposal: The Committee will compose a thoughtful,
plain language rationale that explains the health, environmental,
social and ethical reasons for the new policy, to be used as a basis for
a university-wide education campaign, and in all admission literature,
social media, etc.
#
1
2
3
4
5
6
Answer
I strongly agree
with this point.
I somewhat
agree with this
point.
I am neutral on
this point.
I somewhat
disagree with
this point.
I strongly
disagree with
this point.
Please clarify
your answer (if
13
Response
%
17
85%
3
15%
0
0%
0
0%
0
0%
3
15%
applicable):
Please clarify your answer (if applicable):
If we're going to propose this, we certainly do need to include an "education" component.
I favor publicizing our rationale, but I think we will have to be careful not to seem patronizing.
While I "strongly agree" I think it will be important not to seem patronizing.
Statistic
Min Value
Max Value
Total Responses
Value
1
6
20
6. Point 5 of JC Proposal: The Committee will work with Human
Resources on a joint campaign aimed at university employees to
promote the cessation of smoking through education, incentives,
counseling, etc. And it will work with our Health Professionals school
and other parts of the university to develop a program to assist
students who have a desire to stop smoking.
#
1
2
3
4
5
6
Answer
I strongly agree
with this point.
I somewhat
agree with this
point.
I am neutral on
this point.
I somewhat
disagree with
this point.
I strongly
disagree with
this point.
Please clarify
your answer (if
applicable):
Response
%
16
80%
4
20%
0
0%
0
0%
0
0%
0
0%
Please clarify your answer (if applicable):
Statistic
Min Value
Max Value
Total Responses
Value
1
2
20
14