The University of Nevada, Las Vegas is banning the use of all tobacco products on its campuses. It applies to students, faculty, staff and visitors. | iStock
The University of Nevada, Las Vegas is banning the use of all tobacco products on its campuses. It applies to students, faculty, staff and visitors. | iStock
The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) is joining other universities across the nation in stamping out tobacco usage on its campuses.
Starting this week, UNLV has banned the use of cigarettes and other tobacco products.
“It’s no secret that smoking, vaping and using tobacco have negative health impacts,” UNLV School of Public Health Dean Shawn Gerstenberger said in a recent release.
The policy applies to all UNLV properties and bars students, faculty, staff and visitors from using tobacco. Affected sites include UNLV's Maryland Parkway, Shadow Lane and Paradise campuses, as well as the Thomas & Mack Center and any other buildings or facilities owned, operated, leased, occupied or controlled by UNLV in Nevada, the release said.
“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,” Gerstenberger said. “Furthermore, as a minority-serving institution, we serve those who are at greater risk, including low-income and first-generation students.”
He said the policy is warranted as a public health matter.
“In public health, we work to protect people and the communities where they live, work, learn and play,” Gerstenberger said. “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.”
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