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University of Oregon (UO) - Ban on Campus Tobacco Sales
Public University located in Eugene, Oregon
Enrollment: 20,033
Type/Category: Tobacco Sales Ban
Program and Background: In August 2004,
the University of Oregon’s Erb Memorial Union (EMU)
Board voted to ban tobacco sales on campus. An attempt to
ban tobacco sales on campus was initiated in 2002, but failed
to gain support due to concerns about the potential loss of
revenue and the fact that the effort was not student led.
As part of UO’s participation in a regional tobacco
action study (the Campus Health Action on Tobacco or CHAT),
a Campus Advisory Board (CAB) made up of students, faculty,
and staff was formed. The CAB identified four goals to accomplish
over the two-year intervention period, including: (1) raising
awareness about the availability of free nicotine replacement
therapy (NRT), (2) banning tobacco sales on campus, (3) increasing
smoking buffer zones in front of building entrances, and (4)
banning the distribution of tobacco product samples in Greek
housing.
After accomplishing its goal of raising awareness about the
availability of free NRT, the CAB shifted its focus to banning
campus tobacco sales. Unlike previous attempts, the CAB engaged
students in the effort and contacted each EMU Board member
to garner support and explore potential backing or opposition
to the ban.
Shortly thereafter, the CAB requested time to address the
issue during an EMU Board meeting. During the Board meeting,
the CAB:
- Distributed a document describing the cost of tobacco
at UO, the dangers of environmental tobacco smoke exposure,
tobacco use among vulnerable population groups, and the
consequences resulting from a failure to address tobacco-related
issues on campus
- Presented letters of support from students, clubs and
organizations, and staff
- Offered testimonials stressing that selling tobacco on
campus supported the initiation and continued use of tobacco
products
- Acknowledged that tobacco use is a personal choice, but
emphasized that the University should not profit from student
addiction to tobacco products
- Used baseline data to respond to difficult questions
about student support for stricter tobacco policies
- Demonstrated that other schools, such as University of
Washington, had imposed similar bans on campus
After a long debate, the discussion concluded and the proposal
to ban tobacco sales on campus was placed on an upcoming EMU
Board meeting agenda as an action item.
In the interim before the final vote, the CAB concentrated
on raising awareness about the issue among UO students, faculty,
and staff. A number of articles and editorials, both for and
against the ban, appeared in the The Oregon Daily Emerald.
In addition, Eugene’s local TV station, KVAL, broadcast
an interview with CAB members regarding the issue and the
University’s TV station, DUCKU TV, aired a series of
debates among students regarding the upcoming vote.
At the final EMU Board meeting, the Director of Food Services
provided a cost analysis detailing the impact of discontinuing
tobacco sales at campus convenience stores. The report revealed
that while campus convenience stores could lose up to $25,000
in revenue, plans to make the stores larger and more modern
would likely offset these losses.
Results: In August 2004, the University
of Oregon EMU Board voted to ban campus tobacco sales by a
vote of 8 to 4, ending a four-month controversy.
Future: The CAB is capitalizing on the momentum
of banning tobacco sales on campus by working with the Facilities
Department to increase smoking restrictions from 10 to 50
feet in front of building entrances. In addition, the CAB
plans to work toward banning tobacco-sponsored events and
programs in Greek Housing. Although the CHAT Study will conclude
in March 2005, the Peer Health group will maintain tobacco
prevention and awareness activities and will investigate ways
to continue distributing NRT.
Contact:
Paula Staight
Director, Health Education
pstaight@uoregon.edu
This case study brief was written in December 2004.
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