In recognition of the fact that smoking is an addictive habit and that persons who wish to quit smoking often need support, the College of Staten Island provides smoking cessation resources to all members of the college community to assist with their individual goals.

A Tobacco-Free CSI will:

  • Help keep our campus beautiful by reducing a known source of toxic litter
  • Protect our students, faculty, staff, and visitors of all ages from the unwelcomed, involuntary and harmful exposure to second-hand smoke, third-hand smoke, and tobacco product refuse
  • Create a supportive environment for those who are trying to become free of tobacco and nicotine use
  • Establish a healthier environment for everyone

New York City provides an array of free or low-cost programs and resources to assist with smoking cessation.  In addition, CUNY employees have access to the CUNY/WorkLife Program and CSI students can use the Student Wellness Center for additional resources.  View the College’s comprehensive Tobacco-Free Website for additional news and information.

Resources and program descriptions:

Tel: 718-982-3113; Wellness/Drop-In Center; Campus Center, Room 111.

In collaboration with Richmond University Medical Center (RUMC) and ASSIST (Anti-Smoking Staten Island Support Team) CSI’s Student Wellness Center offers individual tobacco cessation education and counseling sessions, support groups, and referrals to the NYS Smokers’ Quit Line and other tobacco dependence treatment services. As long as supplies are available, Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) products will continue to be provided to students at no cost.

Tel: 212-676-2393 or Web: www.nyc.gov/doh (Services, Quit Smoking)

This program is a personalized and confidential service for New York City employees who would like to quit smoking. Support is provided by experienced Tobacco Treatment Specialists in person or by phone.

  • CUNY Work/Life Program

Tel: 800-833-8707 or Web: www.cuny.edu/worklife (enter “smoking cessation” in the search box).

CUNY’s faculty and staff and their family members are covered under this program. It’s a voluntary, free, and confidential benefit administered by Corporate Counseling Associates. CCA’s team of experienced counselors is available 24/7 to help assess needs and clarify options on an array of daily-life issues, including smoking cessation.

  • Staten Island University Hospital – The Center for Complementary Medicine

Tel: 718-226-6951; 256 Mason Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10305

This free program provides information and strategies needed to direct efforts to quit.  As well, it focuses on development of coping techniques to better manage the physiological and psychological aspects of the addiction to tobacco.

  • New York State Smoker’s Quit Line

Tel: 866-697-8487 or Web: www.nysmokefree.com.

New York State and City offer assistance to help people quit smoking. You can talk to a Quit Coach, receive a free starter kit of nicotine patches or gum, or visit the City’s Quit Smoking clinics to receive supportive counseling and medication to help quit smoking. Services are provided at little or no cost.

  • New York City – 311

Tel: Dial 311 from within NYC or Web: www.nyc.gov/311

New York City provides an array of free or low-cost programs and resources to assist with smoking cessation.

View Additional and Detailed Policy Information at the Healthy CUNY website.

CUNY PolicyFAQs

1. Why did CUNY revise its tobacco policy?

CUNY has revised its tobacco policy to provide a healthy and safe environment for employees, students and visitors, and to promote positive health behaviors. As the nation’s largest urban public university, as a source of thousands of health-professions graduates, and as the home of the new CUNY School of Public Health, CUNY has an opportunity—and a responsibility—to set appropriate standards as an example for universities seeking to protect the health of their students and employees.

 

2. When does the tobacco-free policy go into effect?

The University expects the full implementation of the revised tobacco plan no later than September 4th 2012.

 

3. What does tobacco-free mean?

The policy prohibits the use of tobacco on all grounds and facilities under CUNY’s jurisdiction — indoor and outdoor– as well as tobacco industry promotions and marketing on campus properties, and tobacco industry sponsorship of athletic events and athletes. The Board’s resolution updates and supersedes the University’s previous policy, which prohibited smoking inside all facilities, including vehicles operated by the University.

 

4. What is considered a tobacco product and therefore prohibited by this policy?

Tobacco products include, but are not limited to, cigarettes (traditional and e-cigarettes), chew, pipes, cigars, hookah or waterpipe smoking, snuff, and snus.

 

5. Who is affected by this policy?

The policy applies to every person who comes to a CUNY campus, including visitors, faculty, staff, volunteers, students, contractors, and service representatives.

 

6 .What areas of CUNY campuses are included in the policy?

All grounds and facilities under CUNY jurisdiction are included in this policy, including indoor locations and outdoor locations such as playing fields; entrances and exits to buildings; and parking lots. By September 4, 2012, clearly visible signs will be in place to indicate tobacco-free boundaries.

 

7. Does the policy apply to student housing?

Yes, the policy applies to all areas of campus, including student housing.

 

8. Can I use tobacco in my personal vehicle?

No. Tobacco use is prohibited in all CUNY operated parking areas, both inside and outside of vehicles.

 

9. Do employees, students, and visitors have to quit using tobacco?

No. We are not saying you must quit smoking. But we are saying you cannot use tobacco while you are on CUNY property. If you are ready to quit, we want to support your efforts

 

Please visit the Tobacco Cessation Resources tab for more information.

 

10. What type of training is being done to make employees and students aware of this policy?

Central Office, in conjunction with the CUNY School of Public Health will support a variety of training opportunities tailored to university students, faculty and staff. Such training opportunities include, but are not limited to cessation education and counseling, policy enforcement, and student advocacy. Training information and updates will be available at www.cuny.edu/healthycuny.

 

11. Are other universities tobacco-free?

Across the United States, an ever-increasing number of colleges and universities are instituting tobacco-free policies: As of October 1, 2010, at least 446 colleges and universities had enacted smoke-free or tobacco-free policies for their entire campuses (indoors and out); about another 80 had enacted policies that include minor exemptions for remote outdoor areas. Other colleges and universities have not encountered significant problems enforcing tobacco-free policies.