The University of Queensland intends to become smoke-free from 1 July 2018.
The decision aligns with UQ’s responsibility and desire to provide healthy and vibrant campuses, and reflects evolving societal norms.
A Queensland Government Parliamentary Committee Inquiry into smoking and the use of tobacco at universities, TAFE facilities, and other registered training organisations concluded last year.
Since then the Queensland Government has been working with all universities and higher education institutions in Queensland to reduce the use of tobacco and related products on campuses, with a view to a transition to smoke-free campuses.
There is a growing body of evidence for smoke-free campuses, with research finding a link between smoke-free policies and reductions in campus smoking prevalence, second-hand smoke exposure and student perceptions of peer-smoking prevalence.
Both QUT and Australian Catholic University have already introduced smoke-free policies, and it is expected all universities across Queensland will reach a similar position over the coming months.
This reflects the approach adopted by Victorian universities in 2014 and Western Australian universities in 2012.
While UQ’s staff smoking prevalence rate is much lower than that demonstrated across the general Queensland population, this policy position will present a personal challenge for some staff and students.
The University acknowledges this and hopes the policy commencement date of 1 July 2018 will allow an appropriate period of time for the promotion, communication and socialisation of the transition to smoke-free campuses.
This period will provide an opportunity for staff and students to avail themselves of the support options offered to assist to quit smoking, details of which are provided here.
A range of FAQs are currently being developed and will be available on the UQ Wellness website. In the meantime, if you have any questions regarding the transition, please contact the UQ Wellness program within the Occupational Health and Safety Division via email .
Media: UQ Wellness – Vicki McNabb, v.mcnabb@uq.edu.au, +61 7 3365 1516. UQ Communications, communications@uq.edu.au, +61 7 3365 1120.
