FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, October 15, 2019
STEPHENVILLE, Texas — Tarleton State University joins the more than 2,000 schools across the U.S. that are banning tobacco use, including vaping. Effective Jan. 1, 2020, all Tarleton locations will be 100 percent tobacco free.
“A tobacco-free campus allows us to recommit ourselves to a cleaner and healthier educational environment for our students, faculty, staff and visitors,” said university President James Hurley. “The health and well-being of our Tarleton family is a top priority.
“The evidence of the hazards from tobacco use and vaping is overwhelming. Reports show the number of lung illnesses tied to vaping has spiked to more than 800 cases across the country, and the number in Texas exceeds 50. It’s the right time to do the right thing for the people we care about.”
Tarleton’s tobacco-free policy follows an Oct. 1 communication from The Texas A&M University System to prohibit the use of e-cigarettes and vaping as soon as possible at all 11 of its schools and eight state agencies.
“The ban on vaping is to be mandatory and expanded to every inch of the Texas A&M System,” Chancellor John Sharp wrote in a memo to university presidents and agency directors. “That includes every parking lot and garage, every building, every laboratory and all outside spaces, every property where the System has a presence.”
Tarleton has been moving in this direction for several years, allowing smoking only in designated areas away from academic and residential buildings. With the new policy, the use of all tobacco and electronic smoking devices will be banned on any property owned, operated or leased by the university, including locations in Fort Worth, Waco, Midlothian and Bryan.
The policy covers cigarettes, cigars, pipes, chewing tobacco, snuff, and e-cigarettes and nicotine “pods” or vape pens.
“While students, faculty, staff and visitors may choose to use tobacco or vaping products in their private lives, we believe it is of vital importance to establish a policy that prohibits their use on Tarleton property,” Hurley said. “We are working to develop policy guidelines and tobacco-cessation resources for students and employees.”
Tarleton’s Student Government Association proposed related legislation in 2018. “Students have voiced their support for this move and look forward to making our campus a healthier place,” SGA President Tyler Schuster said.
“I am extremely pleased with the support of our student leaders to move to a tobacco-free campus,” said Dr. Kelli Styron, vice president of the Division of Student Affairs. “I am confident they will lead the way in making Tarleton an even healthier place to earn a university degree.”
Cessation resources for students are available via Tarleton’s Student Health Services and Student Counseling Services. Faculty and staff can receive assistance from the university’s Revive Wellness program, through the Texas A&M University System Employee Assistance Plan or by calling 1-866-295-1212. Employees also may call Tarleton’s Employee Services at 254-968-9128.
Tarleton, founding member of The Texas A&M University System, provides a student-focused, value-driven education marked by academic innovation and a dedication to transform today’s scholars into tomorrow’s leaders. It offers degree programs to more than 13,000 students at Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco, Midlothian, RELLIS Academic Alliance in Bryan, and online, emphasizing real-world learning experiences that address societal needs while maintaining its core values of tradition, integrity, civility, excellence, leadership and service.
Contact: Cecilia Jacobs, Assistant Vice President of Marketing and Communications
254-968-1620
cjacobs@tarleton.edu
