1. Welfare Policy and Legislation
University of Toledo Smoke-Free and Tobacco-Free Policy; MC
Policy Impact Analysis
Jennifer Mooney
12/8/2012
2. Welfare Policy and Legislation 1
University of Toledo Smoke-Free and Tobacco-Free Policy; MC
The Policy Analyzed
The policy I had selected to write about is the University of Toledo Smoke Free- and
Tobacco- Free Policy. As of August 1, 2011 , The University of Toledo Campuses: Main
Campus, Scott Park Campus, Center for the Visual Arts, Lake Erie Center and Stranahan
Arboretum became tobacco-free, established "Designated Tobacco-Use Areas." The policy itself
states,
“Smoking and the use of tobacco products is prohibited in all of the university's academic
and administrative buildings, university vehicles, athletic and recreational facilities, the
student union, Greek chapter houses and all residence halls. Tobacco products include
and are not limited to cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, snus (chewing tobacco in a
porous pouch) and pipes. Use of tobacco products is permitted in personal vehicles.”
(ATOD Prevention Specialist and Associate Vice President, Safety and Health, page1)
The policy is to be applied completely towards faculty, staff, students, visitors, and contractors
ofthe university. Also, the function of this policy isfor students, staff/faculty, patients and
visitors while on every campus, The University of Toledo is committed to endorsing a safe and
healthy environment.Tobacco-free policies are to benefit,with smokers and nonsmokers,by
protecting all workers and students from unhealthy contact to secondhand smoke. It is said, it
will help provide a supportive environment that helps tobacco users cut back, cease, or quit
tobaccoproducts. (ATOD Prevention Specialist and Associate Vice President, Safety and Health,
page1) This policy that is enforced right now has created areas in which students, faculty,
patients and visitors can have labeled tobacco use areas.
3. Welfare Policy and Legislation 2
University of Toledo Smoke-Free and Tobacco-Free Policy; MC
Brief History of the Policy
At The University of Toledo, Smoke Free- and Tobacco- Free Policy had not always
been into effect. For example, in the state of Ohio as of July 23, 2012, there had only been a few
campuses which ban smoking. In addition, before the Ohio Board of Regents voted unanimously
to approve a resolution presented by Regents’ Chairman James Tuschman recommending that
each board of trustees of the University System of Ohio consider implementing its own policy to
establish its campus as tobacco-free there wasn’t very many campuses in which to desire in
having their campus smoke-free. With that a statement noted on Ohio higher-ed website said,
"It's the right thing to do," Tuschman said. “Statistics prove that a tobacco-free campus
significantly curbs the smoking habits of students, faculty and staff to make campuses healthier
environments.” (Ohio Board of Regents University System of Ohio) At this board meeting all
university’s or college’s board of trustees will choose whether to ban tobacco on their campus.
Also, a few other facts about smoking and its history on campuses areAt least seven Ohio
campuses have passed policies prohibition the sale of cigarettes and smoking anyplace on
campus including Miami University, Hocking College, and the Health Sciences Campus at the
University of Toledo. This was a step for all of Ohio, especially for The University of Toledo’s
campusesleading toward having a policy banning smoking. To conclude, Ohio at this time has a
statewide smoking ban that will not permit smoking in any public place or workplace. This was
2.2 million voters supporting banby, Ohio citizens approved the ballot issue in November of
2006. (Ohio Board of Regents University System of Ohio)
Makes a Policy Issue Now
4. Welfare Policy and Legislation 3
University of Toledo Smoke-Free and Tobacco-Free Policy; MC
As I study this policy, I have become aware that socially everyone is effected some way
or another by smoking and the social justice that comes to society in regard to smoking. This
policy has a target group to the norms of society, which are those inand working around the
college community. A basic human need is physical health and preventing others from
secondhand smoke falls under having that met. When overlooking the policy, I would say these
advocates for a wide population and standing on a purpose of reaching/ promoting a healthy and
cleaner environment. In chapter 1 of Foundations of Social Policy, David Miller states that we
turn to consider determining the effect on a vulnerable population in regards to the social justice
impact of a proposal.(Barusch, page 66) Also, it describes and meets various components. For
case in point, human needs are being met and not ignored, and the policy impacts
equality.Overall, this is adopting and advising a way of action in relations to physical health by
effects of smoking.
Policy Goals
The major policy goal is stated in the purpose of the policy,
“The University of Toledo is committed to promoting a safe and healthy environment
forstudents, staff/faculty, patients and visitors while on The University of Toledo
campuses and satellite grounds. Tobacco-free policies benefit our campus, including
smokers and nonsmokers, by protecting all workers and students from unhealthy
exposure to secondhand smoke and providing a supportive environment that helps
tobacco users cut back, cease, or quit tobacco products.”(ATOD Prevention Specialist
and Associate Vice President, Safety and Health, page1)
5. Welfare Policy and Legislation 4
University of Toledo Smoke-Free and Tobacco-Free Policy; MC
With this statement you can clearly comprehend and grasp the goals. For instance, the purpose in
the policy states one goal being, promoting a safe and healthy environment. Second, caring for
the wellbeing for students, staff/faculty, patients and visitors while on The University of Toledo
campuses. Third goal would be benefitting smokers and nonsmokers by providing a supportive
environment for those who are smokers. A manifest goal that would come from this policy
would be pushing the smoking population to keep off or away from campus as a whole because
only a few (seven) designated smoking areas are around campus which may not be convenient
for every smoker in relation to where they are at.
When I take another look at the policy directly toward the part declaring,
“Tobacco-free policies benefit our campus, including smokers and nonsmokers, by
protecting all workers and students from unhealthy exposure to secondhand smoke and
providing a supportive environment that helps tobacco users cut back, cease, or quit
tobacco products.”(ATOD Prevention Specialist and Associate Vice President, Safety
and Health, page2)
I can say that the policy directly has stated that is implementing it wants tobacco users to cut
back, cease, or quit tobacco products. Which this is implying that maybe by banning smoking on
campus, the health of everyone would increase because there would be no secondhand smoke
and smokers are likely to cut back in the future maybe quit.
Benefits and Services
After going through the policy I can identify some benefits and services it carries. For example,
the policy directly states many tobacco-freeprograms and services available. There is cessation
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University of Toledo Smoke-Free and Tobacco-Free Policy; MC
smoking implement available to all Toledo students and employees. The policy is providing cost
free, accessible in person and gives an informational website and contactor. But it does say,
“Individuals should see their personal physician for a prescription for cessation aids. Prescription
products may be covered by your health insurance plan, please see your plan formulary for more
information.” (ATOD Prevention Specialist and Associate Vice President, Safety and Health,
page3) Also, the policy offers many services because different people need different resources as
they try to stop smoking and quit. Too, there is information and professional assistance available
to help support bothdirect and long-term needs as you become,and remain, a nonsmoker. The last
service the policy has is a The Ohio Tobacco Quit Line.
“The Quit Line is designed for people who are ready to quit using tobacco, and
peoplewho want to make sure they have the support and the motivation to staytobacco-
free. When you call and enroll, you're paired with an experienced quit specialist who will
work with you to set a quit date and design a quit plan customized to your pattern of
tobacco use.” (ATOD Prevention Specialist and Associate Vice President, Safety and
Health, Page, 3)
Furthermore, the question to answer is if the policy is a strength perspective or if it is not. I
would say that the policies benefits and services are designed to correct the behavior of those
who are smoking to get them to stop. But it could go the other way in saying it helps meet the
needs of those who are quitting or have stopped smoking. Also, I wouldn’t say there is much of a
client’s choice permitted. They either don’t smoke on campus at all, smoke in the designed
smoking areas or smoke wherever and get fined by the police for it. With the service I stated
available for free and locally in Toledo, it has used strengths of resources in the community.
7. Welfare Policy and Legislation 6
University of Toledo Smoke-Free and Tobacco-Free Policy; MC
These services to stop smoking will benefit the services by improving with a positive outcome
and could be effective.
The Eligibility Rules
The one who are to be given and receive the services are those students and faculty who
currently are smokers or have been in the past. The one who benefits from the policy are those
who are nonsmoker because they will have a healthier environment and less of a chance from
getting secondhand smoke. With eligibility if having the seven designed smoking areas, smokers
have equal right to smoke there and for nonsmokers they have a right to have a clean
environment to not walk into secondhand smoke in every area on campus. On a strengths
perspective, the guidelines and rules I would say encourage people to develop the capacity to
meet their own needs. For instance, it offers those who are smokers to take steps in quitting and
free service options for when they want to do so. But the positive steps create a loss of benefit to
those who were able to smoke wherever on campus without issues.
Services Delivery System
Based on strength perspective and answering if the service delivery system is built on the
community I would say no. But I would agree and say, the service delivery system has set up
different structures for those who are in the target population of smokers. For example, there are
free services offered for smokers and also more informational websites. Along with that there is
an option help groups for those who are smokers wanting to quit or those who did quit and want
to start back up. Another optional route would be to see someone medically to help stop smoking
for better health. This does show that it offers clients choices. The services and programs are for
8. Welfare Policy and Legislation 7
University of Toledo Smoke-Free and Tobacco-Free Policy; MC
any diverse population and are accessible to people of all ethnic backgrounds. I describe the
policy to meet the structure of a public program, such as having centralization, staff
characteristics, citizen participation and having appeal processes.
How the Policy Is Financed
The source of funding comes from the government. The university will get money from the
government for having a smoke free campus. And because it’s public funding that is generally
more stable and adequate for the policy. Some funding comes from different department
committees on campus. The services available are public so there is no charge and clients
wouldn’t have to pay out of pocket. In reality the outcome of what the policy can have on the
campus is effective to the cost it will have on the university.
In conclusion of the policy, when I focus on social justice in society of the University of
Toledo’s campus I believe the policy is overall is just. The widespread impact of the policy in
long term is large. It addressed a basic need which is physical health. Also, it has goals and
practical examples. Every person who steps on a campus is affected by the issue of smoking. The
history of the problem is known and has valid reason to be implemented. Other universities in
the United States and even in Ohio are dealing with this issue, by going smoke free as well. The
proposal does address the problem of long term effects of smoking, nonsmoking and provides
services for those who do smoke. In addition, in chapter 1 of Foundations of Social
Policy,Barusch states when balancing the components of social justice, desert, need, rights and
equality. I would that this policy is equilibrium of each. (Barusch, page8)
9. Welfare Policy and Legislation 8
University of Toledo Smoke-Free and Tobacco-Free Policy; MC
Work Cited
Barusch, A. S. (2012). Foundations of social policy, social justice in human perspective.
(4 Ed.). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole Pub Co.
Ohio Board of Regents University System of Ohio. (July, 23 2012). Board of regents
recommends tobacco ban. Retrieved from https://www.ohiohighered.org/press/board-
regents-recommends-tobacco-ban
ATOD Prevention Specialist and Associate Vice President, Safety and Health. (August, 1
2012). : University of Toledo smoke-free and tobacco-free policy_; mc. Retrieved from
http://www.utoledo.edu/policies/administration/safety_health/pdfs/3364-60-09.pdf