Board of Trustees, Chancellor Zimpher Call For "Tobacco-Free SUNY"

Albany – The State University of New York Board of Trustees today passed a resolution to support a “Tobacco-Free SUNY” policy and the development of New York State legislation that bans the use of tobacco on grounds and facilities and in vehicles owned, leased, or controlled by SUNY.

In doing so, SUNY becomes the largest public university system in the country to adopt a comprehensive tobacco-free policy.

“Tobacco use on college campuses is a serious public health issue for which SUNY can be a larger part of the solution,” said Board Chairman H. Carl McCall. “By establishing a policy that will prohibit the use of tobacco among our 468,000 students and 88,000 employees on campuses across New York, we will have a positive impact on their health and that of our visitors.”

“SUNY has a responsibility to promote the health of our students, faculty, staff and visitors while they are on our campuses,” said SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher. “I commend the Board for making the health of these groups a priority and I look forward to working with legislative leaders to develop a state law that will make SUNY 100 percent tobacco-free by the end of next year.”

Today’s resolution is a result of the Chancellor’s Task Force for a Tobacco-Free SUNY, which included broad representation of SUNY’s students, faculty, staff, campus administration, along with other partners from the community, in an effort to lead a collaborative implementation process of a tobacco-free SUNY policy.

Under current law and a policy adopted by the State University Board on January 11, 2007, smoking is banned on SUNY campuses in indoor areas, including residence halls, and in vehicles owned or leased by the State University.

Studies show that young people ages 18-24 have the highest smoking rate of all adults; and smoking contributes significantly to the risk of fires in buildings, dormitories, and other campus structures.

About the State University of New York

The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive university system in the United States, educating nearly 468,000 students in more than 7,500 degree and certificate programs on 64 campuses with more than 3 million alumni around the globe. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunity, visit www.suny.edu