“Out of concern for the health and safety of our campus community, we are also moving to make UCF’s campuses smoke-free. In coming months, we will host public discussions and forums as we formulate a policy. I hope to see it in place one year from now at all campus locations. This move aligns us with several community partners – such as the Orange County government and Florida Hospital – which are already headed in this positive direction.”
–President John C. Hitt, State of the University address, Oct. 27
The first signs of UCF becoming a smoke-free campus were visible during the 36th national Great American Smokeout, an American Cancer Society initiative that encourages adults to quit smoking.
UCF Health Services displayed 1,000 pinwheels at Memory Mall to promote clean air for everyone, and students took the pinwheels to show their support for UCF going smoke free. During a lunchtime flash mob, 100 students gathered to blow bubbles in the Student Union to show their support for clean air for everyone.
“The response we got from students that day was overwhelming support for a smoke-free UCF campus,” said Mary Schmidt-Owens, co-chair for the UCF Smoke Free Task Force. “This change in policy will help ensure a healthy environment for everyone.”
More information about the smoke-free initiative will be communicated throughout the coming year.
Health Services is an office in the Division of Student Development and Enrollment Services.