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

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

  • Esports are Growing in Popularity

    Video games and esports are a popular social hobby, and it’s one that’s accessible to a wide variety of physical ability levels. Some esport student-athletes have started to earn scholarship opportunities, and high schools are beginning to form teams equipped with the same degree of resources as their physical sports teams. However, the two have very different needs.

  • Phoenix High School Completes First Phase of Campus Renovations

    Metro Tech High School, part of the Phoenix Union High School District (PXU) in Phoenix, Ariz., recently announced the completion of the first stage of a campus renovation project, according to a news release. The school reopened a series of public-facing business operations spaces including credit union, daycare, floral, cosmetology, and culinary services. It also includes new CTE learning spaces for the school’s nursing assistant, pharmacy, and sports medicine programs.

  • University of Rochester to Break Ground on New Student Life Center

    The University of Rochester in Rochester, N.Y., recently began construction on a new Student Life building, according to a news release. The first floor will contain campus-wide gathering, program, and rehearsal space; the second floor will play home to the Greenbaum Center for Jewish Life.

  • DLR Group Announces New Mid-Atlantic Higher Education Leader

    Integrated design firm DLR Group recently announced that it has promoted Principal Shawn Gaither, AIA, LEED AP, to the role of higher education leader in the Mid-Atlantic, according to a news release. Gaither has served with the firm for more than 20 years, most recently as the national higher education business development leader.