Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

Lenoir-Rhyne University Adopts Tobacco-Free Policy Across All Campuses

  • 02/15/19

HICKORY, NC – Tobacco-free campuses are a growing trend among colleges and universities across the nation. Lenoir-Rhyne University (LR) recently announced that the university will move to become tobacco- and smoke‐free across all campuses beginning with a soft launch in spring 2019, with a full implementation of the tobacco-free policy starting June 1, 2019. The use of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cigars, pipes, hookah, smokeless tobacco, all nicotine delivery devices (excluding Nicotine Replacement Therapy) and all other tobacco products will be prohibited across all university-owned or leased properties, facilities, athletic fields and stadiums, parking lots, and vehicles.

As part of LR's strategic priority to enhance health and wellness, the university is committed to the health and well-being of its students, employees, and visitors. On June 1, 2019, LR will join the nearly 2,000 tobacco-free campuses in the U.S. and more than 80 other colleges and universities in North and South Carolina to implement such a policy.

"The health of our faculty, staff, and students is a top priority for Lenoir-Rhyne, and this is an important step toward providing a safe and clean learning and working environment," says University President Dr. Fred Whitt.

The new tobacco-free policy will allow nonsmokers to avoid exposure to second-hand smoke. Simultaneously, campuses will offer support for individuals who are current tobacco users and those who may be working toward quitting. More information about university-supported resources and programs will be forthcoming.

"We encourage the entire Lenoir-Rhyne community to champion this policy by helping to communicate, educate, and provide support to students and their peers and colleagues," Whitt says.

Featured

  • Porter Family Center

    Porter Family Center for Innovation and Academics

    Established in 1999, the Education Design Showcase is a vehicle for showing off innovative — yet practical — solutions in planning, design, architecture, and construction. The Porter Family Center for Innovation and Academics has been recognized with an EDS 2026 Project of Distinction award in the category of New Construction.

  • Designing the Bridge Between Inclusivity and Independence in K–12 Schools

    Fostering independence is fundamental to learning and development for K–12 students. It offers many proven benefits, such as enhanced confidence, problem-solving, decision-making, and social skills. However, this foundational objective loses its impact if it’s not accessible and adaptable to all students. Inclusivity plays a critical role in cultivating independence and healthy autonomy for students, fostering positive student learning outcomes by uniting pedagogy with the physical learning environment.

  • USC Launches Major AI Initiative After $200M Gift

    The University of Southern California in Los Angeles, Calif., recently announced that it has launched a “transformational” new AI initiative thanks to a $200M gift, according to a news release. The project will leverage AI toward breakthroughs and innovations in subjects like the health sciences, business, security, and the arts.

  • URI Cuts Underwater Ribbon on New Ocean Robotics Laboratory

    The University of Rhode Island recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new Ocean Robotics Laboratory at its Narragansett Bay Campus, according to a news release. Two students used a remotely operated vehicle to cut an underwater ribbon in a 30-by-20-foot test tank.