Las Vegas, NV (KXNT) –Starting Monday, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas became smoke-free and tobacco-free.
The policy applies to students, faculty, staff and visitors on all UNLV properties. This includes UNLV’s Maryland Parkway, Shadow Lane and Paradise campuses, Thomas & Mack Center, and all other buildings or facilities owned, operated, leased, occupied or controlled by UNLV in the state of Nevada.
“It’s no secret that smoking, vaping, and using tobacco have negative health impacts,” said UNLV School of Public Health dean Shawn Gerstenberger.
“With 99 percent of smokers starting before the age of 27, college campuses are an important environment where we can educate students and prevent these behaviors before they begin. Furthermore, as a minority-serving institution, we serve those who are at greater risk, including low-income and first-generation students.”
The smoke-free and tobacco-free campus policy was approved by UNLV’s University Policy Committee in September 2021 following a campus review and comment period. This policy will be in place for the Fall 2022 semester and prohibit all forms of smoking, tobacco use, marijuana use, and unregulated nicotine products including, but not limited to:
- Cigarettes, cigars (commercially or self-rolled)
- Pipes, hookahs, water pipes
- Electronic cigarettes
- Vape pens
- Bidis, Kreteks Smokeless tobacco (e.g., snuff, snus, chew)
- Cannabis / marijuana in all forms
“In public health, we work to protect people and the communities where they live, work, learn, and play,” said Gerstenberger. “Each time we step on any of our campuses, UNLV faculty, staff, and students are playing a critical role in creating a cleaner and healthier environment for all.”