BOONE—Smoking is now prohibited in and within 50 feet of all Appalachian State University facilities.
North Carolina law enacted July 1, 2007 allows universities to regulate smoking at properties owned or leased by a state university.

“The health risks associated with smoking and second-hand smoke exposure are well documented,” said Chancellor Kenneth E. Peacock. “This policy allows us to maintain a safe and healthy working and learning environment for our students, employees and visitors.”

The majority of buildings at Appalachian have been smoke free for several years. Residence halls became smoke free in August 2007.

Ashtrays and smoking receptacles are being removed from building entrances and will be relocated wherever possible. The university is asking for voluntary compliance with the new policy while the Taskforce on Campus Smoking finalizes its recommendations on enforcement. The restrictions apply to students, university employees and visitors, and contractors working on campus.

A map showing areas where smoking is prohibited on campus is available at http://www.news.appstate.edu/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/Smokingimpactareas.pdf.

Recognizing how difficult it can be to stop smoking, the university will provide several opportunities to assist students, faculty and staff who wish to stop smoking.

“I would like to remind everyone that it is important that smokers and nonsmokers treat each other with respect and courtesy as this policy is enacted,” Peacock said.

A series of smoking cessation classes will be scheduled beginning in February at times and locations convenient to the university community. To encourage maximum participation in these classes, employees will be able to attend these sessions within their normal work schedule, according to Peacock and Human Resource Services Director Patrick McCoy. Call the Student Wellness Center at 262-3148 or the Office of Health Promotion at 262-6314 for more information.

Support also is available through N.C. Quit Now, a statewide smoking cessation partnership that operates a toll free help line at (800) 784-8669. Information about their support services is available at www.quitnownc.org/. Information also is available from the State Health Plan Web site at http://statehealthplan.state.nc.us/.

Students who want to stop smoking using nicotine patches, nicotine gum or bupropion should enroll in a smoking cessation class offered through the Student Wellness Center. Class participants will be eligible for pharmacological support through Student Health Services.

Smoking cessation class schedules for faculty, staff and students, as well as additional information about to stop smoking will be available at www.wellness.appstate.edu and www.healthpromotion.appstate.edu.

University employees who are members of the State Health Plan can receive a 10-week supply of generic nicotine replacement therapy patches free of charge with a prescription from their physician. Information is available at http://www.shpnc.org/news-20080103a.html.

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