August 24, 2006

SIU Med School Will Become Tobacco- and Smoke-Free

 SIU School of Medicine will expand its current smoke-free policy to become tobacco- and smoke-free on all campus buildings and grounds on September 5, 2006.

"The new tobacco- and smoke-free policy reflects our mission and reinforces our commitment to protect the health and safety of citizens in central and southern Illinois. By implementing this policy the School will be in step with our partners in the medical community who have already taken this action," said Dr. J. Kevin Dorsey, Ph.D., dean and provost of SIU School of Medicine.

Cigarette smoking is the number-one cause of preventable death in the U.S., according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More than 440,000 people die prematurely in the U.S. each year from tobacco-related diseases.

"Tobacco use and smoking will not be allowed in any SIU School of Medicine facilities or on the grounds surrounding SIU-owned or on properties that we lease," said Kay Titchenal, executive director of human resources. "Employees and visitors will be allowed to smoke in their personal vehicles parked on campus."

SIU employees who would like to quit smoking are being offered information about smoking cessation programs by the SIU Office of Human Resources, 545-0223. The medical school has 1,540 employees in Springfield who work in 15 buildings included in the policy. Employees were notified of the new tobacco- and smoke-free policy in April and have received regular reminders of the change.

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