What’s Up with the Tobacco-Free Initiative

It is no secret that the Tobacco Subcommittee has launched a tobacco-free initiative. But have there been any developments since the effort was last in the news late last semester? Where can an interested party get the most up-to-date information?

At new.oberlin.edu/tobacco-free-oberlin/. “In the interest of transparency and keeping the Oberlin community informed, the Tobacco Subcommittee has created a website for its most updated information on the tobacco free initiative, says Lori Morgan Flood, associate dean and director of wellness and health promotion.

The website offers an overview of the committee’s work and of the initiative’s current status.

The Tobacco Subcommittee, which is part of the college’s Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug (ATOD) Committee, has been working on this issue for more than three years, initially gauging the campus’s readiness to be tobacco free by meeting with various campus offices, departments, student and employee groups. Well over 75 percent of the individuals involved said they supported such an initiative.

The committee is currently working with Student Senate liaisons to promote the website and to plan forums for discussion and information sharing about the tobacco-free initiative.

A key component of preparing an institution to become tobacco free is providing cessation support through both psychological and pharmacological therapies. The offices of student wellness and employee wellness have long been advocates of smoking cessation resources for students, faculty, and staff. “Whatever the outcome,” says Flood, “we will continue to support cessation programs and services.”