UALR is now six months away from becoming a smoke-free campus. On Aug. 16, 2009, the new smoke-free policy will apply to all locations of the University, including the main campus, the Bowen School of Law, and the Benton Center.

Janis Lewis, UALR director of Health Services, said second-hand smoke causes premature death and disease in children and adults who do not smoke. According to the 2006 report of the Surgeon General, “there is no safe level of second-hand smoke.”

The report finds that children exposed to second-hand smoke are at greater risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), acute respiratory infections, ear problems, and more severe asthma. Smoking by parents causes respiratory symptoms and slows lung growth in their children. Exposure of adults to second-hand smoke has immediate adverse effects on the cardiovascular system and causes coronary heart disease and lung cancer. Millions of Americans are exposed to smoke in their homes and workplaces despite substantial progress in tobacco control.

The report said that eliminating smoking in indoor spaces fully protects nonsmokers and that separating smoking areas, cleaning the air, and ventilation are ineffective.

Need help to quit smoking? UALR’s Health Services offers individual and group smoking cessation programs to help kick nicotine addiction.

To receive more information about the cessation program, e-mail smokingcessation@ualr.edu to be added to the mailing list.