Western is a Smoke-Free Campus

Words - Smoke-free campus


Western University has been smoke-free since July 1, 2019, creating a healthier, cleaner environment for those who study, live, work and visit here. 

Western's smoke-free policy recognizes and provides exemptions for traditional cultural or spiritual practices by Indigenous members of the Western community. Aside from identified exemptions, the policy includes all forms of smoking, vaping and tobacco use.

Enforcement

In the early stages of a smoke-free campus, Campus Ambassadors were engaged to walk around campus, talk to smokers, and provide information on the Western's Policy on Smoking, Vaping & Tobacco Use. They also shared information on supports for those wishing to quit.

Because fresh air and a cleaner campus are good for smokers and non-smokers, all members of our community are encouraged to participate in protecting our smoke-free campus by respectfully approaching and informing smokers who may not be aware that Western is smoke-free. Smokers are asked to move off-campus to smoke.

Thinking of quitting? Great idea!

If you are a smoker who wishes to quit please read more about the supports available. We want to help!

A smoke-free environment provides a healthier, cleaner campus for all. We also know this can be challenging for those at Western who smoke. In a survey of all faculty, staff and students at Western, half of all respondents who said they smoke, also said they wanted to quit within in the next year.

Support for Students

  • Student Health Plan - A physician can offer advice and the Student Health Plan provides coverage to cover the cost of smoking cessation aids. Please visit Student Health and Wellness Services in Room 2170, Thames Hall (specific conditions apply).
  • Middlesex London Health Unit - The MLHU offers a helpful list of resources for those who wish to quit. 
  • Smokers' Helpline - Some of the best resources available are here - an online quit program, free help by phone and text messaging, and self-help workbooks. You may visit their website or phone 1-877-513-5333.

Supports for Staff and Faculty Members

Workplace Health welcomes employees who want to discuss smoking cessation. An Occupational Health Physician and an Occupational Health Nurse support employees with health surveillance, immunizations, and treatment of minor workplace injuries. They are also available for consults on other health rated concerns impacting you at work.

Book your appointment: 
Phone: 519-661-2111 ext. 85472 (Kristine Brown) 
Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Support Services Building, Room 4159

Middlesex-London Health Unit - the MLHU offers excellent information and resources that can help you quit. Download the MLHU brochure for some ideas that can help.

Extended Health Plan from Manulife - Smoking cessation aids make it easier than ever to quit smoking, and a number of choices are available. Your family physician can offer advice and the Western Extended Health Plan provides coverage to cover the cost of smoking cessation aids. The coverage is for aids prescribed by a medical doctor and dispensed by a pharmacist, and must have a valid Drug Identification Number (DIN) or have been assigned a Natural Product Number (NPN) licensed by Health Canada, such as transdermal patches and nicotine gum. Eligible expenses are subject to a lifetime maximum of $500 per person.

Check your benefits by visiting the Western HR "Your Benefits" page. Select your employee group and look for the "Your Benefit Booklet" link.

The Manulife Plan Member website (you will need to register to access) also offers a number of health links and resources, including information on smoking cessation.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – Your Employee (and family) Assistance Program is provided by TELUS Health and includes counselling and programs for those who are trying to quit smoking. Self-directed programs include CareNow (substance use) and the Tobacco and Nicotine Cessation Toolkit, available online from your TELUS Health account.  EAP services are fully confidential and at no cost to you, your spouse and your dependent children. To learn more, visit Western's EAP webpage.

Smokers' Helpline - Some of the best resources available are here - an online quit program, free help by phone and text messaging, and self-help workbooks.

Staying active can help you quit

Looking to get active on campus? Living Well @ Western offers activities and events designed to help you live well and be well! All are free for Western Staff and Faculty members. Visit Living Well.

Read Western Research about smoking

FAQ - A smoke-free Western

Why did Western go smoke-free in 2019?

Western's goal is to provide a healthy, clean campus environment for those who study, live, work and visit here.

How was this decision made?

Western's decision to go smoke-free was made after extension consultation with individuals and groups across our university and beyond. The consultation with student leaders, employee groups and all campus members began in 2015. 

  • Western's Joint Occupational Health & Safety Committee, with representatives from each employee group, expressed early support for a move to a smoke-free campus.
  • A 2016 survey of more than 40,000 people at Western showed very strong support for a move to a smoke-free campus.
  • An Advisory Committee on the Future of Smoking at Western was established in 2017 and made recommendations on a time-line for a smoke-free Western by July 2019. Details were shared with student and employee groups, who provided feedback prior to a final decision by the President and Vice-Presidents group to proceed. A campus-wide townhall meeting was held in March to seek feedback on the move to a smoke-free campus.

Western continues to welcome feedback. Please use ASK HR to contact Human Resources.

What happens to people who smoke in areas where smoking is not allowed?

In our University's culture of respect, we believe that most individuals who know Western is smoke-free will go off-campus to smoke. Those who smoke on-campus will be asked to stop. Western community members who feel comfortable doing so, may wish to respectfully remind smokers of our policy.

What should I say to people who are smoking where they should not?

The key is respect, as some people may not know the policy. You might try an approach like  this: Hi, I'm ______, and I am a student here at Western (or I work here).  I am wondering if you know that smoking on campus is not allowed? Could I please ask you to move to an area off-campus if you wish to smoke? I find the smoke bothers me as I go by. Thank you!”

You may also wish to provide smokers with the of the website where they can find more information. It is www.uwo.ca/smokefree.

What about e-cigarettes/vaping?

Western's Policy on Smoking, Vaping & Tobacco Use includes vaping and e-cigarettes. This means those who vape are required to follow the same smoke-free rules as regular smokers.

Are you trying to make people quit smoking?

People need to make their own choices about whether they wish to smoke. We do know that half of all smokers who responded to our survey in 2016 said they wish to quit within the next year. There are supports available from Western and a number of community and provincial agencies for those who wish to quit.

What’s the big deal?  Most people don’t mind a little smoke.

For many people on our campus, it is a very big deal. Some individuals in our Western community have had their health compromised as a result of second-hand smoke on campus. Many have lost loved ones to smoke-related illnesses. Some people tell us that at one time, they had to choose their routes on campus to avoid smokers. Western believes that a smoke-free campus has created a healthier, cleaner environment for all of us.

Have you got questions or comments about our smoke-free campus? Please please use ASK HR to contact Human Resources.

If you require Human Resources forms, documents or other information in an alternative format, please use ASK HR to contact Human Resources.

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