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Drew University Announces Plan to Be Smoke-Free Campus

Campus will be entirely smoke, tobacco, and nicotine-free as of January 1, 2021

November 2020 – Drew University has announced its plan to join more than 2,500 U.S. colleges and universities by becoming an entirely smoke, tobacco, and nicotine-free campus.

This decision, effective January 1, 2021, comes as the culminating step to incremental campus policy changes over the last several years and follows findings of the Surgeon General of the United States that tobacco use in any form is a significant health hazard.

The policy will apply to all indoor and outdoor spaces on campus and will prohibit smoking, use of any tobacco and/or nicotine products, and electronic delivery systems like vape pens and e-cigarettes.

“The policy reflects Drew’s dedication to providing a safe and healthy learning, working, and living environment for the entire Drew community,” said Frank Merckx, vice president for campus life and student affairs.

The policy is intended to be preventative rather than punitive and will be implemented through education (signage, online information, notices) and communication to new and prospective students, campus guests, and other visitors like contractors and vendors.

“It was a very extensive process and produced a sound policy that protects the entire Drew community, and provides services to those who want to quit smoking or vaping,” said Karen Blumenfeld C’84, executive director of Global Advisors on Smokefree Policy, who has consulted with Drew for several years on the matter.

An email was sent to the Drew community to announce this change.

The full policy, FAQ, scripts for interacting with others, and links to resources on how to quit smoking can be found at this webpage.

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