Friends University has approved a tobacco-free campus policy that will become effective July 1, 2017. The policy will ban the use of all tobacco products, including cigarettes, cigars, smokeless tobacco, electronic cigarettes and other vaping products, and hookah products. All staff, faculty, students and visitors are expected to adhere to this policy on any property owned or maintained for the Wichita campus and Kansas City site.
A group of student leaders have formed the “Tobacco-Free Campus Initiative Student Ambassadors” and have worked with campus administration to pass the policy. The goal of the policy is to ensure a safe, healthy environment for everyone during their time at Friends University by adhering to the University’s RISE Core Values (Respect, Inclusion, Service and Excellence). The committee will focus its efforts this spring and summer on informing staff, faculty, students and visitors of the policy change through advertising and promotional events. Information on tobacco cessation options will also be made available on campus.
Friends University will join more than 1,400 college campuses nationwide that have implemented tobacco-free campus policies.
“We are very excited about this policy change occurring at Friends University,” said Caleb Angell, executive president of the Student Government Association and the head of the student committee. “We sincerely believe that it will lead to a better and more friendly environment for everyone who studies, lectures, works at and visits our sites.”
Friends University received a $25,000 grant from the Kansas Health Foundation for the purpose of implementing a tobacco-free campus policy.
The Kansas Health Foundation is a philanthropy dedicated to improving the health of all Kansans. For more information about the Kansas Health Foundation, visit www.kansashealth.org.
Friends University, a Christian University of Quaker heritage, equips students to honor God and serve others by integrating their intellectual, spiritual and professional lives.