Category Archives: Tobacco Free UND
UND is a tobacco free campus, however tobacco use is allowed on city sidewalks and streets. Look at the UNDO map to help you navigate where tobacco use is prohibited and allowed. If you are ready to quit using tobacco or know someone who is, stop by the Health & Wellness Resource Office where you can receive a FREE QuitSmoking Kit or QuitSpit Kit, packed with tools to help you on your journey to being tobacco free.
The North Dakota QUITLINE (1.866.388.QUIT), and ND Quit Net can help, view the ND Quitline video here.
Students can set up a quit tobacco appointment at UND Student Health Services and medications are available for purchase in the pharmacy.
Benefitted faculty, staff and their dependents can access up to $700 to help cover the cost of medications, a health care provider visit, and quit support through the NDPERS Tobacco Cessation Program (1.800.223.1704).
The Smokeless Tobacco Truth: its harm is just as sinister as cigarettes
Contrary to what some may think, smokeless tobacco is not a safe alternative to cigarettes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), smokeless tobacco is even more habit forming because it contains a higher concentration of nicotine than cigarettes. One dip contains three to five times the amount of nicotine as one cigarette and studies show that nicotine is as addictive as cocaine or heroin.
Smokeless Tobacco is not here to save the day or your body from harm; it can, in fact, lead to many dangerous health risks and issues:
Cancer
- Smokeless tobacco contains 28 cancer-causing agents (carcinogens)
- Smokeless tobacco is a known cause of human cancer; it can lead to cancers of the lips, tongue, floor of mouth, cheeks, gums, throat, esophagus, larynx, and stomach
Oral Health
- Smokeless tobacco can cause recession of the gums, gum disease, and tooth decay
- Other oral side effects include staining of teeth, loss of taste, and bad breath
Reproductive Health
- Smokeless tobacco use during pregnancy highly increases the risks for preeclampsia (i.e., a condition that may include high blood pressure, fluid retention, and swelling), premature birth, and low birth weight.
- Smokeless tobacco use by men causes reduced sperm count and abnormal sperm cells
- Smokeless tobacco is associated with sexual dysfunction
Save The Date!
- February 17 – 23 marks Through With Chew Week, a week designed to raise awareness of the harmful effects of smokeless tobacco.
- The Great American Spit Out, on February 21, occurs in conjunction with Through With Chew Week and is a day when smokeless tobacco users are encouraged to quit for a day and, ultimately, quit for good.
Celebrate Tobacco Free UND by participating in Through With Chew week and the Great American Spit Out!
As part of the Pursuit of Wellness, stop by the Memorial Union on February 21 from 11 am – 1 pm to learn more about smokeless tobacco and get armed with quit resources such as a free quit spit kit!
I only smoke when I drink…
Have you ever heard this before? Is it possible to confine smoking to certain settings? Smoking occasionally can’t be that bad for you, can it?
People who only smoke cigarettes in the presence of others in settings such as bars, nightclubs, and/or concerts often call themselves, ‘social smokers.’ These individuals may smoke a few cigarettes one night, then not smoke again for days or even weeks. While social smoking is likely less harmful than heavy smoking, social smokers are certainly not immune to the damaging effects of commercial tobacco.
If a person smokes casually, there are a few things he/she should know. First off, researchers say there is no safe level of smoking. Therefore an individual, who smokes socially (just like a habitual smoker) is susceptible to the health risks associated with smoking. A social smoker is at an increased risk of heart disease, numerous cancers, respiratory diseases, and premature death. Secondly, no one can predict if he/she will become addicted to nicotine. A person may start off by smoking socially in college. Then, once he/she starts his/her first professional job and wants to quit, he/she finds it to be much more difficult than he/she thought. The nicotine in tobacco is one of the most addictive drugs known. The truth is that most long-term, daily smokers started off as social smokers and currently wish they could quit. Finally, a person smoking socially is likely around other smokers. Thus, not only is he/she experiencing the harmful effects of tobacco consumption, he/she is also breathing in secondhand smoke. Lung cancer, heart disease, nasal sinus cancer, and a variety of respiratory conditions are linked to exposure to secondhand smoke.
Addiction to smoking, as with other addictions, is an insidious process. Specifically, a person may say, “I only smoke when I drink socially” – like in a bar or pub – yet, soon finds him/herself going to the bar more and more often. Then, the circumstances in which cigarettes are consumed extends to studying late, cramming for a test, being offered a cigarette, and being with others who smoke. Before long, the individual may find him/herself going outside in subzero temperatures to smoke.
Fortunately, if a person is honestly only smoking in occasional social situations, he/she is at a lower level of dependence. Thus, quitting tobacco is easier for this person that a person smoking daily. Nonetheless, no matter how often or how much a person is using cigarettes, quitting is possible and there are many resources out there to help!
To learn more about social smoking, please visit the Memorial Union on Monday January 28th from 11 am – 1 pm and enjoy a free cup of hot chocolate. If you are participating in the Pursuit of Wellness, complete a brief quiz and earn the physical dimension of wellness wristband!
Let’s work together to make UND Tobacco Free!
November 15, 2012 marks the 37th annual Great American Smokeout. The event is nationally recognized and held on the third Thursday in November each year. Started by the American Cancer Society, the event challenges tobacco users to abstain from tobacco for the day or plan in advance to quit smoking that day. More recently, the event has been expanded to promote awareness and compliance with tobacco free policies as well as enhance awareness of quit tobacco resources.
How can you show your support?
(1) Come to the Health and Wellness Hub in the Memorial Union on Tuesday November 13 and Wednesday November 14 to pick up a FREE T-shirt (while supplies last) with a commitment to wear it on Thursday. T-shirts will be given to those willing to speak to TEN other individuals about UND’s tobacco free policy and quit tobacco options utilizing the resources provided to them.
(2) Contact a Tobacco Prevention Coordinator (contact information below) to sign up to volunteer for at least a ½ hour on Thursday November 15th from 11 am – 1 pm. Go to various locations around campus and hand out mints attached to business cards which outline the policy OR hand out thank you cards to those individuals following UND’s tobacco free policy.
(3) Follow UND’s tobacco free policy
(4) Quit tobacco (for the day or for life!)
Keep your eyes peeled for outreach booths throughout the week and the many others supporting the Great American Smokeout by wearing Proud to be…Tobacco Free UND t-shirts!
For more information about UND’s tobacco free policy and quit tobacco options, please visit UND.edu/tobaccofree or stop in the Health and Wellness Hub in the Memorial Union and pick up a Quit Kit!
Mark your calendars for November 15 and join the movement to be tobacco free!
If you have any questions, or want to get involved contact Julia Geigle, Tobacco Prevention Coordinator or contact Emmanuel Adjei Boateng, Tobacco Prevention GSA at 701-777-2097.
Mark your calendars: Healthy UND Coalition Meeting on September 7th
Please join us at the annual celebration for the Healthy UND Coalition on Friday, September 7th, from 12 noon to 1:00 pm in the Memorial Union Ballroom. We will celebrate the numerous health and wellness accomplishments achieved by the Coalition over the past year and highlight how you can play a part in enhancing the health and well-being of our campus community.
UND is a national leader in health and wellness as a result of collaborative efforts between committed and caring team players, such as you. We hope you will join Healthy UND members and other UND students, faculty, staff, and community members in marking important milestones and mapping out the future of health and wellness at UND. The relationship between academic success and health and wellness will be discussed at this meeting, as well as the announcement of the 2012 Dr. Boyd Healthy UND Champion Award Recipient.
A baked potato bar will be provided in honor of the upcoming Potato Bowl. Please R.S.V.P to the Health and Wellness Hub by email at UND.hwhub@email.und.edu or by telephone at 701.777.2097 by Tuesday, September 4th. We look forward to having you join us on the 7th!
WIPE THAT SMILE ON YOUR FACE
So far, this summer has brought me many things to smile about.
I finally was able to put on a cap & gown and officially graduate from college after 5 years of studying, cramming, oversleeping, writing papers, & drinking too much coffee. It’s an exciting feeling to be able to move on to the next adventure with all this new knowledge I’ve obtained here.
I’ve realized that I am a different person from when I started freshman year & I believe I’ve grown into a better person. Making healthy choices for my mind, my body, and my soul is probably the main reason for this constant smile on my face.
Five years ago I was a tobacco smoker, considered “obese” according to the BMI chart, got caught up in the social scene rather than my studies & was very self-conscious, dependent on my boyfriend for self-esteem & happiness.
Today, five years later, I’m smoke-free, considered “normal” weight on the BMI chart, prefer close friends I can trust instead of big parties, & I have much self-love for myself. Always knowingly providing myself with my own happiness.
How did I go from an unhappy, possibly depressed, overweight, & dependent person to an independent, smiling, grateful, and not overweight- better version of myself??
- I realized smoking was harmful to myself as well as my friends who rode in my car. I never ever want to be the reason why my best friend gets lung cancer from my secondhand smoke.
- I started walking to class/ work, bought a bike for $15 at a garage sale, and cut out eating foods that either came from a drive-thru window or required nuking it in a microwave.
- And as for my unhealthy relationship with my boyfriend, we stayed friends and continue to root on each other. This is the best part because having friends/people you can trust & who you know are on your team makes me feel the most lucky.
Note: this process took my whole time in college & I vowed to always smile, keep the light, & give myself opportunities to grow & develop more reasons to smile.
Here are some opportunities to come join me!
Divot-a-Try Ladies Golf Night– ($10)
Every Tuesday Night @ 6:10PM Kings’s Walk Golf Course
For beginners (like me who tear up & ruin the green)
Wednesday Night Riders–
9PM sharp, meeting place: U-Park
Every Wednesday night, me and my friends are always looking for people to join us in cycling around grand forks. We can go on a nice SLOW/ leisurely ride OR on a bum-busting ride. Either way, we always have music playing while we ride in the night.
What makes you smile your biggest & tooth-iest, grin??
Kick Butts Day is Wednesday, March 21st
In honor of Kick Butts Day on Wednesday, March 21st, the Healthy UND Tobacco Free Campus Task Group is taking the opportunity to highlight the tobacco free campus policy and quit tobacco options. Kick Butts Day, founded by the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, is a national day to raise awareness about tobacco use, the leading cause of preventable death and disease.
UND is a tobacco free campus, which means tobacco use in any form is not allowed on university property. Tobacco use is allowed on city streets and sidewalks adjacent to these streets. Each and every UND community member, including students, administrators, faculty and staff, play an important role in ensuring the success of this policy. Here are some things you can do to support a tobacco-free UND:
- Educate yourself and others about the tobacco-free UND policy and quit options
- Abide by the tobacco free campus policy
- Respectfully inform individuals of the policy when you observe violations
- Motivate others to learn more about the policy and cessation options
- For those that use tobacco, choose to use only on city sidewalks/streets and dispose of cigarette butts in the tobacco receptacles located in these areas. Here is a map of UND and city property, as well as to find out where receptacles are located.
We encourage those who use tobacco to take advantage of the following services to help you quit:
- ND QUITS or 1.800.QUIT.NOW
Free telephone or on-line support and free nicotine replacement medications
- NDPERS Tobacco Cessation Program
Up to $700.00 in coverage for provider visits, medications, and counseling for benefitted employees and their dependents - Health and Wellness Resource Office, Memorial Union, 701.777.2097 und.healthwellnessresources@email.und.edu
Free quit kits and resources - Student Health Services, McCannel Hall, 701.777.4500
Provider visits and free quit kits for students - Student Health Services Pharmacy, McCannel Hall, 701.777.3965
Over-the-counter and prescription medications available for purchase
Thank you for joining us in our efforts to promote a healthy learning environment on campus!
