“We’re Tobacco Free,” the signs across the University read.
The University advertises a tobacco-free campus — a ban including cigarettes and tobacco free e-cigs, or vape pens.
To outsiders looking in, the campus has taken a big step improving the health of its faculty, staff and students. For people who frequent the University’s campus, however, it is apparent that smoking is a common occurrence.
On Aug. 1, 2014, LSU enacted its tobacco-free campus policy. The policy was part of former Gov. Bobby Jindal’s “Well Ahead” program.
“This includes every tobacco product that is not approved by the FDA, including cigarettes, cigarillos, cigars, smokeless tobacco products, such as vaping pens,” said Susan Bareis, assistant director of the health and wellness program.“We encourage peer enforcement, individuals turning in those that are violating the policy through student advocacy and accountability.”
Students caught smoking have had to complete Moodle modules on community commitment, write essays on the tobacco-free policy or meet with Bareis to check out resources if they are interested in quitting.
For accounting sophomore Brady Calcote, the current state of campus smoking is out of control.
“The lack of enforcement on the smoking policy has spiraled out of control to the point that the policy may not even be noticed anymore,” Calcote said. “I just think this policy needs to be enforced better than it is for the students and faculty that are secondhand to this.”
According to the “We’re Tobacco Free” website, the University spends $36,000 every year to clean up cigarette butts that litter the grounds of campus.
For students interested in quitting smoking, there is a program. Bareis is a tobacco treatment specialist who is available for individual counseling. Students who have gone through the program in the past used mobile apps to track tobacco use, which send them positive messages along the way. To schedule a consultation, contact the office of wellness and health promotion at 225-578-5718.
