Tobacco-free

Northern Arizona University is committed to creating a healthy and safe learning and working environment.

Tobacco-Free Mission

A tobacco and smoke-free campus policy at Northern Arizona University will:

• Provide a healthy and safe learning and working environment free of tobacco and second-hand smoke
• Protect the natural environment by reducing air pollution and litter associated with tobacco use

National Trends

• Currently, over 1,400 campuses nationwide are smoke- or tobacco-free, many of which prohibit use of e-cigarettes and vaping.
• Several states require all public higher education institutions to be smoke- or tobacco-free.

As NAU adopts its tobacco-free policy, it joins Arizona State University, University of Arizona, Maricopa Community College and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, among others.

Brief History of the Movement

A drive for NAU to become tobacco-free began in 2011 as a grass roots effort driven by students.

Over the course of the past several years, the Student Health Advocacy Committee (SHAC) worked with key stakeholders and student groups to collect signatures in support of the policy, conduct opinion surveys, give presentations to campus constituents and host informational forums.

Their goal was to create a healthier environment for all members of the campus community.

A tobacco-free implementation task force was appointed by President Rita Cheng in 2015, with representatives from:

• Faculty Senate
• Student Health Advocacy Committee
• Associated Students of Northern Arizona University (ASNAU)
• NAU Police Department
• Facility Services
• Housing and Residence Life
• Campus Health Services
• Employee Assistance and Wellness
• Center for International Education
• Human Resources
• Office of Student Life
• Graduate Students