Zachary Blackmon1080 Country Club Road 3451Sulphur Springs, Texas, 75482July 31, 2015

Dr. M. Duane NellisTexas Tech PresidentTexas Tech University150 Administration BuildingBox 42005Lubbock, Texas 79409-2005

Dear President Nellis:

Enclosed is my proposal to implement a policy that would make Texas Tech University’s campus tobacco-free. I would like for you to look my proposal over and seriously consider putting it into action.

This proposal identifies and describes the problems that come with tobacco consumption on campus. Currently, tobacco use is allowed on campus with very few restrictions. This is causing health problems for some students and is creating unnecessary waste around campus. The policy described in this proposal offers a definite solution to this problem and will make campus a healthier and cleaner place for students, faculty, and visitors.

Please take the time to go over the proposal that is enclosed, and give it your utmost consideration. I welcome any feedback, improvements, and/or questions that you may have. Thank you for your valuable time. I can be contacted by phone at (903)-951-8367 or by email at zachary.blackmon@ttu.edu.

Sincerely,

Zachary Blackmon

Enclosed: Proposal for a Tobacco-Free Campus

Proposal to Implement a Tobacco-FreePolicy on Texas Tech University’s Campus

July 31, 2015

Prepared for:Dr. M. Duane Nellis

Texas Tech PresidentTexas Tech University

150 Administration BuildingBox 42005

Lubbock, Texas 79409-2005

Submitted by:

Zachary Blackmon

TABLE OF CONTENTSPURPOSESUMMARYCURRENT SITUATIONWHOWHAT I PROPOSEOBJECTIVESSUMMARY OF PROJECT PLANTOBACCO-FREE TIMELINECONCLUSION

Taking a Healthy StanceA Proposal to President Nellis

IntroductionTexas Tech University was founded in 1923 and is one of the more recognizable and distinguished universities in Texas. TTU has a current enrollment of 35,134 students with that number being projected to increase every year. With growth comes an increase of problems that can be found on campus. Specifically, there is an increase in the amount of tobacco being used on campus. Currently, colleges throughout the United States are strengthening their tobacco policies on campus in order to protect the health of their students, faculty, and visitors. In choosing to join in on this relatively new tobacco-free movement, TTU will send a clear message about being a place that promotes health. TTU would also be an example for other universities to follow, hopefully encouraging them to implement a tobacco-free policy on their campuses as well. It is important for students to be able to walk around campus without worrying about their health being jeopardized by tobacco users.

Purpose

The purpose of this proposal is to make TTU a healthier and cleaner environment for students, faculty, and visitors. Specifically, I propose that a tobacco-free policy be implemented on campus in place of the current TTU tobacco policy. Making campus tobacco free will eliminate second-hand smoke from affecting others’ health, eliminate trash associated with tobacco products that were not properly disposed of, and give TTU an image of being a place that promotes healthy decisions.

Summary

In this proposal, I will first illustrate that there is a problem with the TTU’s current tobacco policy. Second, I will discuss statistics and facts I have found in my research on the consequences of tobacco use. Third, I will present a new, tobacco-free, policy that I recommend be implemented as soon as possible. Finally, I will go over the costs of implementing this policy, as well as the benefits.

Current Situation

Tobacco use on Texas Tech University’s campus is causing a number of problems and is an issue that needs to be dealt with. This has become an issue because of the negative health effects second-hand smoke has on others and the excess tobacco related waste that is littered throughout campus. The current rules in effect dictate what areas can and cannot be smoked in. However, this is not sufficient in preventing others from coming into contact with second-hand smoke. Students who suffer from asthma have to use medication in order to remain lucid, and most people prefer to stay away from smokers. Trash found on campus that is produced by tobacco consumption has also become an eyesore for many and is not environmentally friendly by any means.

It has come to my attention that many people are disregarding Texas Tech University’s smoking policies. Not only do students and visitors consistently break the rule that prohibits smoking within 25 feet of any academic building, tobacco is repeatedly used in locations where tobacco in its entirety is strictly prohibited. All tobacco use is strictly prohibited in all CPRIT funded areas: the buildings and walkways associated with the College of Human Sciences facilities, Psychology facilities, Electrical Engineering facilities and Agricultural Sciences facilities. In order to receive CPRIT funding, the university must certify that it has adopted and enforces a tobacco-free workplace policy. However, these areas see an abundance of tobacco use. The constant use of tobacco on school property endangers the health of students, faculty, and visitors, produces excess waste on campus, and promotes tobacco use as an acceptable norm. There are two identifiable causes for these problems:

1. Texas Tech does not have a strict enough policy regarding tobacco use on campus.2. The rules that are in place are not properly enforced.

This is unacceptable; Texas Tech could lose $893,000 in funding from CPRIT if TTU’s nonexistent enforcement of this policy were to be discovered. Many other public universities have already chosen to better their campus and have adopted stricter policies regarding tobacco use. It is up to Texas Tech to protect its funding and to take the initiative to become a role model for other institutions, presenting itself as a clean and healthy place to learn.

Who

2

This entire matter affects everyone on campus. All persons on campus are subject to the health risks involved with tobacco use. Students and faculty see trash generated by tobacco use littered throughout campus daily. The implementation of this plan will affect anyone who is on Texas Tech University property. This policy will imply a duty on everyone on campus to refrain from using any tobacco product.

Evidence SectionBefore highlighting my plan, I will first show that the rules in place are insufficient in preventing health risks and are being violated. Next, I will describe the environmental impact that tobacco use has on TTU’s campus. Finally, I will describe the scientific rationale for the need of a tobacco-free campus by presenting factual information on the negative health and environmental effects caused by tobacco.

A. Health Problems Caused by Tobacco Use on CampusA current Texas Tech University student volunteered an experience they had on campus with second-hand smoke. The case is as follows:

I am a student at Texas Tech University. I am extremely allergic to smoke and I’m severely asthmatic. My asthma is especially triggered by second-hand smoke from cigarettes. When I am around cigarette smoke, it feels as if my throat is closing in and I won’t be able to breathe much longer on my own. I get splitting headaches that make it difficult to concentrate and my vision becomes blurred. If I do not have my inhaler with me it can be catastrophic. When I walk around campus and get behind someone who is smoking, it only takes 2 seconds after I begin to inhale their second-hand smoke before I begin feeling the symptoms of my asthma arise. I have to get my inhaler out and hope to God it works. I was once walking behind someone smoking and my inhaler didn’t work. I couldn’t breathe and had to be rushed to the emergency room. Before I could get there, my heart went into shock giving me the symptoms of a heart attack. My entire body went numb and my chest felt like it was on fire, as if a branding iron was searing my heart. I spent the entire night in a hospital hooked up to a machine to help me breathe. This entire experience could have been completely avoided if campus were tobacco-free. My health should not be affected by other people’s negligence. I should be able to,

3

without worry, walk around the campus I pay a lot of money to be at and be secure that my health will not be jeopardized.

Obviously, as described by this real life experience, tobacco use on campus has negatively impacted a student’s health while they were on Texas Tech property. These types of incidents are preventable and are unacceptable. No one should have to experience something like this due to the lack of disregard Texas Tech has towards tobacco use on campus.

B. Environmental IssuesTobacco use on campus generates waste that is, in turn, littered throughout campus. 10,000 students can produce over 1.5 tons of cigarette butt waste per year, not including smokeless tobacco waste. Texas Tech has three times this population. That is an approximate total of 4.5 tons of cigarette butts per year. This is obviously an enormous amount of waste that has to be picked up. This is an unnecessary expense that TTU pays every year that would disappear if TTU becomes a tobacco-free campus. TTU spends a lot of money on “beautification” projects each year. However, the goals that these projects aim to achieve are defaced by the large amounts of litter generated by tobacco use found on campus. Cigarette butts that have not properly been disposed of can be found throughout campus. Specifically, large amounts of cigarette butts can be found in between the library and the SUB, especially in the areas that vegetation is growing in.

C. Violations of the Rules

4

This picture is a prime example of the disregard for the rules currently in place. These people are not 25 feet away from the library entrance facing the SUB entrance. This is an area that sees a great deal of traffic. Anyone walking in or out of the library would definitely come into contact with second-hand smoke. They show concern for neither other people’s health nor the rules, and sadly this has become an acceptable norm at TTU. This is behavior that should not be tolerated at TTU. The

5

D. Scientific RationaleIt is a well-known fact that tobacco use causes negative health consequences. I have listed a few of an abundance of facts related to the negative health consequences resulting from tobacco use:

Tobacco is the leading cause of preventable death. Second-hand smoke is carcinogenic and is the third highest cause of preventable death. Second-hand smoke contains more than 7,000 chemicals. 70 of these cause cancer. No safe tobacco product exists. 440,000 deaths per year are caused by tobacco use. That’s approximately 1,200 people each day – more than deaths caused by alcohol, cocaine, crack, heroin, homicide, suicide, car crashes, fires, and AIDS combined. Second-hand smoke causes nearly 34,000 premature deaths from heart disease each year in the United States among nonsmokers. Breathing second-hand smoke can have immediate adverse effects on your blood and blood vessels, increasing the risk of having a heart attack.

In conclusion, it is evident that there are many problems on campus that can be directly linked to tobacco use. Tobacco, in all forms, is unhealthy and produces an incredible amount of waste. There are obviously many health risks related to the consumption of tobacco products. People who do not consume tobacco are still subject to health risks imposed on them by other people via second-hand smoke. These health risks are not imaginary and are something that should not be ignored. This was made clear by the case I presented. The need for reform in Texas Tech University’s policy is evident when one takes these facts into account.

Project Plan

Previous Actions Taken

6

Smoking areas have been restricted to areas outside 25 feet from building entrances No smoking above the first floor of any building Use of tobacco products has been prohibited in CPRIT funded areas

Texas Tech is already taking steps towards eliminating the risks caused by tobacco use on campus. However, these steps are insufficient and need to be built upon, in order to sufficiently address this issue.

What I Propose

I propose that the use of all tobacco products is strictly prohibited for all students, faculty, and visitors on all Texas Tech University controlled properties. The following policy should be implemented in order to fully alleviate the negative effects pertinent to tobacco use on campus:

Tobacco-Free Policy for Texas Tech University Smoking, the use of smokeless tobacco products, electronic smoking devices (e.g., e-cigarettes), and the use of nicotine products not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for treating nicotine or tobacco dependence are strictly prohibited in indoor and outdoor spaces, including parking lots. The policy must apply to all Texas Tech University facilities, whether owned or leased. The sale and advertising of tobacco, tobacco-related products, electronic smoking devices, and products related to electronic smoking devices are prohibited at all TTU controlled properties except for advertising in newspapers, magazines, or other written materials sold, bought, or distributed on TTU property. This policy applies to all members of the TTU community including academic appointees, staff, students, alumni, volunteers, contractors, visitors, and anyone entering onto University-controlled properties. Enforcement should be primarily educational with an emphasis on cessation resources. However, citations will be issued in certain cases. Smoking and/or tobacco use may be permitted for traditional ceremonial activities of recognized cultural and/or religious groups.

7

Research involving tobacco or tobacco products, or tobacco use for educational or clinical purposes upon review and written pre-approval as specified by local campus procedures.

Objectives

I believe the implementation of this plan will accomplish a number of things:

It will produce a healthier environment on campus. Tobacco related waste found on campus and the costs related to cleaning up that waste would be eliminated. TTU’s image will be bettered by advocating for healthy decisions. Protect TTU’s CPRIT funding. Encourage students and faculty to make healthy choices.

These are very desirable outcomes that you could expect the implementation of this plan to produce. Positive effects, such as these, further reinforce the claim that TTU needs to make their campus tobacco-free.

Summary of Project Plan

This project plan has three phases:

1. Informing the university body2. Enforcing the policy3. Providing tobacco cessation information to the university body

These three simple phases can be completed at minimal cost, regarding both time and money, to Texas Tech University. While very simple, these three steps will be very effective in putting the policy into effect, as well as ensuring that it is properly enforced. The effects produced as a result of the implementation of this policy will be well worth the small cost required to put a tobacco-free policy in place at TTU.

Tobacco-Free Timeline

Month 1

Month 2

Month 3

Month 4

Month 5

8

Gain support of President Nellis XPropose and acquire approval of budget XProduce an implementation timetable XDraft tobacco-free policy and revise other current policies to comply

X XAnnounce policy details and implementation date

XEducate all whom this policy affects X X XProvide cessation service information X X XTrain staff on tobacco-free policy XPost tobacco-free campus signs XImplement the policy X

9

Implementation of this Policy

A. Informing the University BodyIn order to ensure that everyone is aware of this new policy, I recommend the following actions take place:

1. Update the student handbook with the new and improved policy.2. A university-wide email should be sent out by President Nellis that will inform students and faculty of the change regarding tobacco use on campus.3. Fliers advocating the new policy should be posted on every main entrance of each building.4. Eventually, permanent signs could be posted throughout campus.

In the university-wide email, President Nellis must, by law, state that this policy is not intended to discriminate against tobacco users. Instead, he should advocate that this is a policy intended to protect the health of all persons on TTU property. The email should also provide the date this policy will go into effect.

These steps, as listed above, will suffice in informing TTU’s population of the change in policy regarding tobacco use.

B. Enforcing the PolicyThe following measures should be taken by Texas Tech University to provide for the enforcement of this new policy.

1. Persons having reason to complain about violations of this policy should first seek resolution of the problem by asking the smoker(s) to comply voluntarily with this OP. If resolution of the problem cannot be achieved by this means, a complaint should be made to the head of the unit or office of the shop manager. If the head of the unit is part of the smoking activity, the complaint should be made to the next level supervisor. Heads of units are advised that such complaints can be made without risk to student or employee evaluation.

2. When continued and/or obvious abuse of the policy is evident, appropriate actions will be taken by the following individuals to assure compliance.

10

a) The Division of Undergraduate Education and Student Affairs will be responsible for cases involving students. b) The college dean will be responsible for cases involving faculty. c) The appropriate vice president will be responsible for handling cases involving non-faculty employees.

d) The chief of police will be responsible for handling cases involving individuals who are not student, faculty, or staff of the university. e) Citations may be issued not to exceed $50. The TTUPD as well as employees of hospitality services may issue these citations.

3. Texas Tech Police Department will be looking for violators while on normal patrol routes. Persons found to be in violation of this policy may be fined up to $50.

I hope that students and faculty will hold each other accountable. This coupled with the possibility of a $50 citation will provide sufficient incentives for all to abide by this new policy. Citations can be paid through mail or in person at the respective office.

C. Providing Tobacco Cessation InformationIn order further encourage healthy decisions, I recommend that Texas Tech University advocate for tobacco cessation programs. The following actions can be taken to distribute this information to tobacco users.

The number for a tobacco cessation hotline should be provided and made available to students and faculty of Texas Tech. Texas Tech University provides counseling that is of no cost to the student. Students and faculty whom are having problems with tobacco cessation can utilize this counseling service.

Any student wishing to end their tobacco use can contact any of the resources listed in the chart below. I suggest that the following information be distributed to all students and faculty via TechAnnounce:

Organization Name Website Name Phone Number

11

American Cancer Society www.cancer.org 1-800-227-2345

Nicotine Anonymous www.nicotine-anonymous.org 1-877-879-6422U.S. Public Health Service

www.surgeongeneral.gov/initiatives/tobacco 1-800-358-9295

MI Dept. Community Health www.michigan.gov/tobacco 1-800-537-5666

American Heart Association www.americanheart.org 1-800-242-8721

When this plan, in its entirety, is implemented, Texas Tech can expect a healthier and cleaner learning environment for all. Waste produced by tobacco use will no longer be found littered throughout campus. Health concerns that many students have will disappear. Finally, Texas Tech will present itself as a place that promotes healthy and environmentally friendly decisions.

QualificationsCredibility

In order to validate my proposal, I have used numerous resources from which I gathered ideas and facts. Plans that are currently in motion, and have been proven to be profitable in the long run provided a guideline for us to follow. Michelle Guerra*, the Director of the University of Illinois Wellness Center, proposed a plan for her workplace that took effect on January 1, 2014. I decided to implement some of her ideas in the new Texas Tech policy, as they have proven to positively affect the university. I have also gathered this information from official Texas Tech documentation and the Daily Toreador. Further information was gathered from many credited scientists and doctors, such as the Surgeon General.

Feasibility

As for my personal qualifications, I am presenting a realistic proposal that will benefit Texas Tech by generating possible revenue and will bring about the manifestation of a healthier and cleaner environment around Texas Tech. Further evaluating the feasibility of this proposal, Texas Tech has more than enough manpower to put this plan into

12

action. Texas Tech already pays these employees to pick up litter created by tobacco. Instead, why not employ these workers to make Texas Tech a cleaner and healthier environment?

Implementation Costs and BenefitsIn order for Texas Tech to mitigate the problems caused by on-campus tobacco use and to move in a direction that will promote the health of all persons on campus, a tobacco-free policy should be implemented. Here, I will identify what the costs are to implement this plan, as well as evaluate the benefits that will emerge as a result. I believe these costs are well worth the effects this policy will have on campus.

State law requires a tobacco-free campus make tobacco cessation programs available to students whom are suffering from an addiction to tobacco. Fortunately, many of these services, like counseling, are already provided by Texas Tech University and are already included in the tuition. Many free programs are offered online, too. It would be of no cost to TTU to send the links to these programs to the university population via TechAnnounce. 1-800-QUIT-NOW is the phone number for a hotline meant to aid people wishing to end their tobacco use. Again, this number could be distributed to the university population, via TechAnnounce, at no cost to TTU.

Cost/Advantages

I estimate the cost to implement this plan will either be $20-$40 or $2,000-$10,000, depending on the solution you choose to pursue. The cheaper alternative involves printing and posting tobacco-free flyers that would be posted on main entrance and entrance signs for each building, parking lot, and heavily trafficked areas. Another, more expensive, alternative would be to display legitimate signs that signify Texas Tech as a tobacco-free campus. These signs range anywhere from $8-$30. It would cost anywhere from $2,000-$7,500 to post these signs on the main entrances to buildings, parking lots, and heavily trafficked areas. This is amount is miniscule when compared to the advantages of this policy:

First, a tobacco-free policy will make campus a healthier place to be. This will mitigate all health concerns that involve second-hand smoke. Students will no longer have their health jeopardized as a result of other’s actions. The Surgeon General stated that there is no risk-free level of second-hand smoke exposure. Thus, the only way to ensure that the university

13

population is not subject to health risks is to eliminate exposure altogether.

Second, a tobacco-free policy will result in a cleaner campus. The amount of litter associated with tobacco products will severely decrease immediately, and could possibly disappear over time. A population of 10,000 students can produce up to 1.5 tons of cigarette butt waste per year. Tech has three times that population. It is also worthy to note that Penn State estimated their costs related to cleaning up tobacco related waste on campus to be near $150,000 each year.

Third, a tobacco-free policy will change the image of Texas Tech University. In implementing this policy, TTU will present itself as a place that promotes health and healthy decisions. This can be very luring to prospective students.

Finally, this policy will allow for future income for TTU. Revenue could be acquired through citations that are paid by offenders, as well as through the sale and distribution of FDA regulated nicotine patches and gum at our local vendors on campus. It is also worth noting that this policy could potentially save TTU from losing its CPRIT grant. Essentially, this policy will pay for itself over time and then some.

Conclusion

If this plan is implemented, Texas Tech University will become a cleaner and healthier environment for all by eliminating health risks associated with second-hand smoke and trash produced as a result of tobacco consumption. In addition, it will distinguish itself as a role model for other universities to follow by presenting itself as a place that promotes health. These objectives can be accomplished at a minimal cost forTTU. The substantial amount of money spent on tobacco related waste cleanup that will be eliminated as a result of this policy alone is incentive enough to implement this policy.

Thank you, President Nellis, for giving me your full attention and valuable time. I look forward to hearing your decision. If you have any suggestions that would improve my plan, any questions about this plan, or would like to inform me of your decision, please call me at (903)-951-8367. I can also be reached by email at zachary.blackmon@ttu.edu.

14

15

References"Health Effects of Secondhand Smoke." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 05 Mar. 2014. Web.<http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/secondhand_smoke/health_effects/>.

"Texas Tech Amends Smoke and Tobacco-Free Environment Policy." Texas Tech Today RSS. Texas Tech Today, 3 July 2012. Web. <http://today.ttu.edu/2012/07/texas-tech-amends-smoke-and-tobacco-free-environment-policy/>.

"Texas Tech Works Towards a Smoke-Free Campus." Everything Lubbock. N.p., 06 Feb. 2014. Web. 22 Nov. 2014. <http://www.everythinglubbock.com/story/d/story/texas-tech-works-towards-a-smoke-free-campus/61521/oB-OByWza0GzTpA4ENFsmg>.

"Tobacco Free Colleges - Tobacco Free Florida." Tobacco Free Florida. Tobacco Free Florida, n.d. Web. <http://www.tobaccofreeflorida.com/current-issues/tobacco-free-colleges-the-issue/>.

16