WAVE 3 TV Louisville, KY | New smoking policies in place at UK & UofL

New smoking policies in place at UK & UofL

By Elizabeth Donatelli - bio | email
Posted by Charles Gazaway - email

LOUISVILLE, KY (WAVE) - In the heart of tobacco country, two of the biggest schools in Kentucky started banning smoking on their campuses. According to University of Louisville officials, the ban is supposed to helping people quit and lead a healthier lifestyle.

“In Kentucky, we lead the nation in lung cancer deaths and we need to change that,” said Patricia Benson, director of UofL’s “Get Healthy Now.”

UofL is starting small, limiting smoking to designated areas on its Belknap campus. But one student we spoke with said they are inconvenient, especially when she's studying.

“Before class I need cigarettes and coffee and it's right by the door,” said student Kim Lancaster.

Meanwhile, the University of Kentucky is going cold turkey banning all tobacco products everywhere on campus.

“They could have started off with like certain areas with no smoking rather than just doing the whole campus and I think kids are going to go crazy on campus,” said one UK student.

Both schools are part of a statewide push extinguish Kentucky from having the most adult smokers in the nation. Lancaster admitted she may have to try quitting.

“Yeah I might try,” said Lancaster. “I'll definitely cut down, wouldn't have a choice.”

Student, faculty and staff can also sign up for a smoking secession clinic sponsored by the university where they meet once a week for an hour to help smokers quit.

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