HALIFAX – The clock is ticking at Saint Mary’s University for smokers. It’s part of a movement to convince young smokers to butt out.
Dalhousie and Acadia Universities are smoke free, but Saint Mary’s is taking it one step further says the Vice-President of Finance at the university, Gabe Morrison. “I am delighted to announce that Saint Mary’s is moving to becoming a tobacco free campus by September 1st, 2013.”
Morrison says the university has been hearing concerns about second hand smoke for years. Saint Mary’s President, Dr. Colin Dodds, is a former smoker. “I did inhale.” says Dodds, whose comments were greeted with laughter. “I didn’t have President Clinton’s problem, but it was only cigarettes,” adds Dodds. He says he doesn’t just want to remove smokers from the campus, “but in fact for people to consider quitting.”
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All tobacco products will no longer be allowed to be used or sold on Saint Mary’s campus.
That includes the use of e-cigarettes, which contain no tobacco.
Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer, says although the number of smokers in Nova Scotia has dropped to 20 per cent, the university age bracket is still high. “Our smoking rate in the 20-24 year-olds, remains unacceptably high – 29 per cent.”
The program is welcomed news by Saint Mary’s Student Life Vice President Carrigan Desjardins. “We are definitely looking forward to being the first university here in Atlantic Canada to taking the steps to become tobacco free.”
Robert MacDonald of the Nova Scotia Lung Association agrees. “That’s absolutely a big win for Saint Mary’s.”
But not all students are happy with the new rules. Richard Gould is one. “I pay to come to this school and now they’re telling me I can’t smoke in a place that I pay to come to. It’s public property. If they’re going to ban smoking here, ban it everywhere else.”
Carrigan Desjardins was joined by Dr. Dodds to begin the countdown clock to September 1st. “So ladies and gentlemen,” says Dodds, “three, two, one, start the clock.” And the seconds ticked off to a rousing ovation from the crowd in attendance.
While the countdown is on, the clock will also display daily tips for smokers to help them butt out.
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