Western University aiming to be smoke-free by July 2019

Western University is making moves to become a smoke-free campus.

After consulting with groups and individuals at the university, officials learned many felt a smoke-free environment would create a healthier campus for all who come to Western to study, work or visit.

“Western’s vision is to be a destination of choice for the world’s brightest minds and we have a responsibility as educators to ensure we create an environment that promotes health and wellness,” said Jane O’Brien, associate vice president of human resources, in a release sent out Friday.

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The shift will happen in three phases.

The first phase, effective Friday March 2, asks those who are smoking to keep at least 10 meters from any campus building.

Officials say this moves smokers away from all buildings and will help address concerns about smoke filtering into buildings.

The second phase will come this July, and will allow smoking only in a limited number of designated smoking areas on campus.

“We recognize the move to smoke-free will be a difficult transition for some members of our campus community,” said O’Brien. “In addition to a phased-in approach, we will be working to ensure students, faculty and staff are aware of smoking cessation supports available to those who wish to quit smoking.”

The third and final phase will be rolled out in July 2019. That’s when the designated smoking areas will be removed, officially making Western’s campus smoke-free.

“Our goal during the transition to smoke-free will be to inform, educate and encourage people to help us create a healthier campus,” said O’Brien.

More information on the Western’s move to “Clear the Air” can be found here.