Spreading Awareness
SUNY Cortland’s decision to go tobacco-free is supported by the American College Health Association’s Position Statement on Tobacco on Colleges and University Campuses, which recommends 100 percent tobacco-free buildings and grounds. This decision supports development of healthy lifestyles and protects our students, faculty and staff from the known harmful effects of secondhand smoke.
SUNY Cortland is a front-runner in this national movement of colleges in the United States going 100 percent tobacco-free. Recently, President Erik J. Bitterbaum praised the decision of the SUNY Board of Trustees to make the entire SUNY system tobacco-free and thus the largest tobacco-free public university system in the nation.
SUNY Cortland’s Tobacco-Free Policy went into effect Jan. 1, 2013. It is up to everyone to help continue to make this policy successful. If you encounter someone using tobacco on campus, you might find the tips in the following acronym helpful in approaching that person.
S – “Smile”
M – “Make” the assumption that the person doesn’t know the policy.
A – “Approach” them in a positive way by introducing yourself.
R – “Remind” them that we are tobacco free and there are resources.
T – “Thank” them for their cooperation.
The following video also provides useful information on approaching someone not complying with the policy.
If you need additional information or resources concerning SUNY Cortland’s Tobacco-Free Policy, please contact one of these offices.
- Health Promotion
- Student Health Service
- Environmental Health and Safety
- Human Resources
- ASC Employees
- Unions
Additional Online Resources
- New York State Smoker’s Quitline
- Erie County Department of Health
- Roswell Park Cancer Institute
- American Lung Association
Online Information from the American Cancer Society
- Cancer
- Is any Type of Smoking Safe? (also available in Spanish)
- Guide to Quitting Smoking (available in Spanish only through a toll-free number)
- Helping a Smoker Quit: Dos and Don'ts
- Quit for Life Program
- Health Risks of Smoking Tobacco (available in Spanish only through a toll-free number)
- Quitting Smoking - Help for Cravings and Tough Situations (available in Spanish only through a toll-free number)
- Smoking in the Workplace — A Model Policy
Special thanks to Green River Community College.
