1. About Centre College
  2. College Policies & Initiatives
  3. Tobacco-Free Campus

Tobacco-Free Campus

To enhance the general health and well-being of students, faculty, staff and visitors, Centre College is a tobacco-free campus.

Centre College recognizes that smoking and vaping poses significant health risks to members of the community. Centre's tobacco-free policy includes cigarettes, vaping devices, and smokeless tobacco products like “chew, dip and snuff”.  Nicotine-replacement gum will be made available to faculty and staff to utilize while on campus for those interested. Other types of nicotine-replacement therapy medications are available for those who are on the College’s health plans.
 

Tobacco-Free Policy

The findings of the Surgeon General show that tobacco use in any form is a significant health hazard that can lead to heart disease, cancer, and premature death, and that even non-tobacco users are at risk of these outcomes due to passive exposure. In light of these risks, our strategic emphasis on wellness, and the College’s commitment to providing a safe and healthy working and learning environment for all campus constituents, the College has adopted a Tobacco-Free campus policy, effective July 1, 2023.

The use of any tobacco product is prohibited in or on all property that is owned or leased by the College. Property for purposes of this policy includes all buildings, grounds, athletic venues, campus sidewalks, parking lots, vehicles, as well as personal vehicles in these areas.  This policy applies to all members of the College Community as defined below.

Definitions

Defined as all forms of tobacco, including, but not limited to smokeless tobacco products, cigarettes, cigars, pipes, water pipes (hookah), electronic nicotine delivery systems, smokeless tobacco products, and any product that produces smoke or vape.

Includes vapes, vaporizers, vape pens, hookah pens, electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes or e-cigs), and e-pipes.

Includes chewing tobacco, dip, snuff, snus, and dissolvable products including lozenges, orbs, sticks, and strips.

Includes faculty, staff, students, contractors, volunteers, and visitors.

Cessation Products

All cessation products specifically approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in treating nicotine or tobacco dependence are allowable for use in or on campus properties.

Cessation Guide

Cessation Products 

Compliance and Enforcement

All members of the campus community share in the responsibility of adhering to and enforcing this policy. The success of this policy will depend upon the thoughtfulness and consideration of each other.  Resources will be provided to those who wish to quit smoking. It is hoped that any violations of the policy can be resolved with an initial informational approach or a reminder, but serious or repeated violations will be dealt with as violations of policy under the respective handbooks for students, faculty and staff.

How We Can Help

Centre wishes to support its employees who want to quit using tobacco products by providing resources to you.

Nicotine Replacement

The following items are currently available through the College’s medical health plan at no cost to the employee if filled at an in-network pharmacy.

  • Bupropion HCI tab SR 12 hr 150 mg
  • Nicotine TD patch 24 hr 21 mg, 14 mg, and 7 mg
  • Nicotine polacrilex gum 2 mg & 4 mg
  • Nioctine polacrilex lozenge 2 mg & 4 mg
  • Nicotine inhaler system 10 mg (4 mg delivered) – Nicotrol brand
  • Nicotine nasal spay 10 mg/ml (0.5 mg/spray)
  • Varenicline tartrate tab 0.5 mg (base equiv) & 1 mg (base equiv)
  • Varenicline tartrate tab 0.5 mg x 11 tabs & 1 mg x 42 pack

Nicotine gum may be picked up in Human Resources to help employees quit tobacco products. It can be used every 1-2 hours as needed for cravings.   

EX Program

To help you quit all types of tobacco and other nicotine products including cigarettes, chewing tobacco and vaping, Centre offers this digital cessation program completely free to employees. The program, from Truth Initiative in conjunction with the Mayo Clinic, has helped over 940,000 people quit for good. Research shows the EX Program quadruples a user’s chance of quitting—willpower alone doesn’t work.

If you complete this program by November 30, 2023, the Tobacco Surcharge associated with the College’s health insurance plan will be waived for calendar year 2024.  If you complete the program by March 31, 2024, the surcharge will be refunded. We strongly encourage you to register for the program and complete the program by November 30th.

Register for the EX Program

Quitting for Good

Get help quitting if you are interested. The single best thing you can do for your health in your lifetime is to quit smoking. 

Free Online Tool 

Here are some tips:

Trigger or Problem Solution
Keeping hands busy Find a stress ball or paper clip you can play with.
Keep something in your hands other than a cigarette. This is a time many folks take up a new hands-on activity like word puzzles, knitting/crocheting, etc.
 
Social gatherings If you had a habit of smoking when consuming a certain 
food or beverage (usually coffee or alcohol) avoid them for a while. They may increase your discomfort caused by not smoking. Sip SLOWLY on another beverage.  Seek out nonsmokers to hang out with at breaks or meal times.
 
After meals  Leave the table quickly after finishing your meal. Have sugar-free mints or gum available to pop in your mouth right after you finish eating. Take a short walk after your meal.
Stress Sit down alone, close your eyes and take 10 slow, deep breaths. Call your support person and vent. Take a walk or get up and move around the office or campus.

Coping Skills for Nicotine Withdrawl

The Five D’s
  1. Delay until the urge passes = usually within 3 to 5 minutes.
  2. Distract yourself. Call a friend or go for a walk if possible.
  3. Drink water to fight off cravings
  4. Deep Breaths – Relax! Close your eyes and take 10 slow, deep breaths
  5. Discuss your feelings with someone close to you.
Exercise

Take a 10 to 15-minute walk once or twice a day, and work up from there, especially during the time you would normally smoke or use tobacco.

  • Regular exercise helps to control cravings for cigarettes and food, and it can increase cravings for healthier food choices.
  • Exercise is a positive activity that can become a new habit that replaces smoking. Try it for at least a month, which is about how long it takes to form a new habit.
Changes in Appetite

  • When an individual decreases or stops tobacco use, they tend to use food as a replacement when the urge to smoke strikes.

  • Be aware that you may find yourself snacking more and on unhealthy foods.

  • Keep healthy snacks and foods easily available, and don’t skip meals.

Get More Rest
  • Your body is used to taking in not only nicotine, but all of the other chemicals in cigarette smoke; cutting off or reducing that supply creates physical stress and fatigue.
  • Go to bed a little earlier than usual.
  • If you are at the opposite end of the spectrum and find yourself unable to sleep, try taking a long walk several hours before bedtime.

Did You Know?

  • Tobacco use is the single most preventable cause of death and disease.
  • 70% of smokers want to quit smoking.
  • Working in a tobacco free environment helps people quit.