Tobacco Free Campus

Tobacco Free Campus

Lion Up! For your good Health, Southeastern is a tobacco free institution. Smoking and other tobacco use is prohibited indoors and outdoors on all Southeastern Campus premises. Call the University Counseling Center 985-549-3894 for more information.

Southeastern Louisiana University has become a tobacco-free campus as of August 1st, 2014. This decision has been prompted both by ongoing concerns for the health and wellness of the community, as well as ACT 211 that was passed the summer of 2013 asking all universities and technical colleges to increase their clean air policies for their campuses.

Certainly the ill effects of tobacco are well documented:

  • The Surgeon General states that tobacco use in any form, active and/or passive, is a significant health hazard (Office of the Surgeon General).

  • Environmental tobacco smoke has been classified as a Class-A carcinogen and there is no safe level of exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (US Environmental Protection Agency).

  • Smoking is responsible for more deaths each year than drugs, alcohol abuse, car crashes, AIDS, murder, and suicide combined (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).

Becoming a tobacco-free campus is in keeping with Southeastern Louisiana University's commitment to promote and support a healthy and safe campus environment for all – it is a core value and a central part of our mission. As of June 2014, over 925 colleges and universities are tobacco free (1343 100% smoke free and 167 prohibit the use of e-cigarettes). The American College Health Association (ACHA) has adopted a "no tobacco use" policy and encourages colleges and universities to achieve a 100% indoor and outdoor campus-wide tobacco free environment.

Our Southeastern policy applies to all University students, faculty, staff, visitors and contractors. Tobacco use includes, but is not limited to cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, pipes, hookah-smoked products, electronic cigarettes, and oral tobacco products such as dips, chews, etc.

Southeastern recognizes that quitting tobacco use can be a significant personal challenge, and that tobacco-cessation programs are an integral component in implementing this policy

Faculty, Students and Staff, who struggle with quitting tobacco are encouraged to contact the University Counseling Center for resources both on and off campus at (985)549-3894.