Why are universities around the nation adopting tobacco-free policies?
• Secondhand smoke. There is no safe level of secondhand smoke exposure. It causes cancer in tobacco users and non-smoking bystanders. Separate “smoking areas” are a health threat to our students, faculty and staff. The New York State Commissioner of Health has urged campuses to become completely smoke-free, both indoors and outdoors. • Environmental impact. Cigarette butts are the world’s greatest litter problem, with 4.3 trillion butts littered annually. They take an average of 25 years to decompose because of the plastic fibers in the filters and their chemicals harm the soil, waterways and animals. Additionally, manufacturing tobacco causes deforestation and pollution from the mass use of fertilizers. In conjunction with President Simpson’s endorsement of the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment, current UB Green programs, and other “Greener Shade of Blue” initiatives, we want to reduce the environmental impact of tobacco on our community at UB. • The tobac
