Johnson & Wales University Is Now Tobacco Free
By Ana Bottary
@anabottary
Lighting up a cigarette on the way to class, or on break will no longer be an option on the Johnson and Wales campus. It’s the first in Rhode Island to be tobacco free.
"This is not about sanctioning or being punitive with our approach, but bringing individuals to an understanding that we are a community and we continue to commit ourselves to the health and well being of our students, faculty and staff,” says Ron Martel, Vice President of Student Affairs at JWU.
Students like Edwin Zapata have been a proactive part in getting this policy put in place.
"Just all of the health benefits that come along with it, the education. I personally know people who smoke and just moving them in to the right step in a way," says Zapata.
JWU joins 1,100 Universities and Colleges Nationwide that identify as 100 percent Tobacco free.
"If someone has not smoked by the age of 26 they are far less likely to becoming a life long smoker. So getting with our youth early on, letting them know that any tobacco product is not safe, that’s the message we want to get out," says Dr. Nicole Alexander–Scott.
Student’s perspectives differed.
"What it means from a student, is now your going to have to go across the street to smoke, now you are going to have to go off campus to smoke," says one student.
"As far as a health standpoint I think it’s smart because it leads to student potentially quitting or making alternative decisions,” adds another.
© WLNE-TV / ABC6 2016
