SDG 3.3.6: Have a free smoking policy for the university

 31 May: World No Tobacco Day 2017

 

31 May is the World No Tobacco Day to remind each one of us that we should confront the global tobacco crisis because it affects us all. Here are some quick facts about smoking that you should know: 

  • Tobacco kills more than 7 million people worldwide; and the number keeps on rising to reach almost 9 millions in 2030. 
  • For every 1 person who died from smoking-related diseases, there are 30 persons who are suffering from related morbidities. 
  • Smokers are more likely to have , yellow teeth, acne, smell and have a bad breath
  • Smoking is a risk factor for different types of cancers especially lung cancer, heart diseases, diabetes, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases), sexual weakness, weak immune system, and many others 
    • On average, non-smokers live 10 years longer than smokers 
    • There are more than 7000 chemical in tobacco smoke, at least 250 of them are toxic and more than 70 are carcinogenic 
    • Narguile smokers absorb more toxicants that cigarettes smokers
  • On average, non-smokers live 10 years longer than smokers 
  • There are more than 7000 chemical in tobacco smoke, at least 250 of them are toxic and more than 70 are carcinogenic 
  • Narguile smokers absorb more toxicants that cigarettes smokers 
  • Smoking in pregnancy can lead to birth defects and is extremely harmful for the baby 
  • There is no safe level of exposure to tobacco or a safe product even e-cigarettes, smokeless tobacco and filters are not recommended 
  • More than 31 out of 100 high school students reported to use tobacco products 
  • Second-hand smoking, the smoke that fills enclosed spaces when people are using tobacco products and inhaled by the surroundings,  causes around 900 000 premature death each year 
  • In Lebanon, the average of smokers, which is 45% for males and 38% for females is highly significant, especially in comparison with the regional MENA average (38% for males, 7% for females) 
  • It is never too late to quit! 

 

 For your Health… Quit Smoking Now! 

 

People, especially at early age, start smoking due to peer pressure, smokers in the surrounding including the family, to relax and relieve from boredom or stress, to look cool and trendy in front of the others. Therefore, the strong and the smart ones are not influenced easily by the surroundings and are able to say no to smoking! 
  
As for those who already smoke, many of them want to stop this habit. Quitting is not an easy option and many attempts can fail.. However, stopping is very beneficial since it reduces the risk of developing the mentioned diseases above. In order to stop, many methods/tips can be helpful: 

  • Commitment is half way for success 
  • The 4 D’s to help get through a craving: 
    • Delay the time you crave a cigarette, the urge to smoke will fade in few minutes 
    • Drink water by holding it in the mouth for a while 
    • Deep and slow  breathing in and out for 5 times 
    • Distract yourself with a friend or an activity to forget smoking for these few minutes Cold Turkey such as immediate quitting or gradual reduction with no outside help/therapy/medications. 
  • Nicotine Replacement Therapy such as nicotine gum and inhalers. These are nicotine products excluding tobacco. However, the point with quitting is to end nicotine addiction, not to simply stop using tobacco products but it can be a good start. 
  • Behavior Therapy where the counselor makes a plan to change this habit or to manipulate the conditions that trigger smoking 
  • Prescribed medication in case of significant difficulties and symptoms from withdrawal 

Lastly, using a combination of these methods increases the chance of successful quitting. If you are a smoker and you are reading this, think about it and start today… After all, you are doing it for your health and the health of your loved ones! 

For more information about tobacco interventions and laws in Lebanon, check the National Tobacco Control Program of the Ministry of Public Health.

As a conclusion, IUL supports and agrees with the ministry of public health’s vision concerning the issue of smoking. 

Cigarette smoking in college is seen as a social activity by those who partake in it, and more than half of the students that are users do not consider themselves smokers. This may be because most college students plan to quit smoking by the time that they graduate. Cigarette smoking on college campuses has become an important public health issue and there has been increase in campus wide smoking bans and other preventive programs to reduce the rates of students smoking. 

Besides that, cigarette smoking is the major central public health problem in worldwide communities. Smoking, the use of tobacco products or tobacco-related smoking products, is not allowed on the premises of the IUL Region because, the Islamic University of Lebanon is a tobacco-free place. This can be shown clearly all around IUL community area.  

The free smoking policy of IUL is stated in 2014 and updated in 2018. It’s intended to be educational, to de-normalize smoking as an acceptable social practice, especially among youth who may otherwise pick up a life-long tobacco addiction during their time at the University. It will also protect members of the community from second-hand tobacco smoke on campus. The success of this policy depends on the thoughtfulness, consideration, and cooperation of smokers and non-smokers. It is the responsibility of every member of the IUL community to not only comply with the policy, but to encourage others to comply with it in order to promote a safe, clean, and healthy work and learning environment. 

Tobacco-Free IUL Policy  

Policy Statement  

The Islamic University of Lebanon is a tobacco-free university. Smoking, the use of tobacco products or tobacco-related smoking products, is not allowed on the premises of the university.  

As such, the following regulations are to be observed:  

  • Smoking and the use of any kind of tobacco or electronic smoking devices are prohibited indoors and outside at IUL.  
  • Tobacco use is forbidden in all IUL owned or operated facilities as well as at all events organized or sponsored by IUL.  
  • Tobacco products shall not be sold or distributed on university grounds.  
  • Sponsorship of events by tobacco-industry related companies at career fairs, open days, recruitment events is prohibited.  

 

Purpose  

This policy is intended to be educational, to de-normalize smoking as an acceptable social practice, especially among youth who may otherwise pick up a life-long tobacco addiction during their time at the University. It will also protect members of the community from second-hand tobacco smoke on campus. The success of this policy depends on the thoughtfulness, consideration, and cooperation of smokers and non-smokers. It is the responsibility of every member of the IUL community to not only comply with the policy, but to encourage others to comply with it in order to promote a safe, clean, and healthy work and learning environment.  

 

The policy is intended to give IUL a leading role in the implementation of Law 174, which legislate bans on smoking in all indoor public places; bans tobacco advertisement of all kinds, as well as tobacco sponsorship and promotion; and requires large health warnings on all tobacco packaging. This can be shown clearly in the official paper of Lebanese Law No. 174, page 2.   

As a conclusion tobacco control policies and interventions an affect entire communities positively. It reflect our social and cultural context in addition to the presence of commitment to legislated rules and regulations. This modeling can provide critical issues to set realistic goals for reducing smoking prevalence and improving public health.