No smoking, vaping or tobacco products are allowed on CSU property, including all of our campuses, to comply with the state of Colorado executive order, and to reduce exposure to secondhand smoke and vaping aerosol. The university also supports tobacco users in quitting, reducing use and never starting.
To comply with State of Colorado executive order
In November 2018, Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper issued an executive order banning tobacco on all “grounds owned or leased by the state under the control of the executive branch.” The order also requires that the university post signs at building entrances and other obvious public areas stating that the sale and use of tobacco products, vaping products and e-cigarettes are prohibited in all buildings and on all grounds owned or leased by the state, except as otherwise provided in the executive order.
Reduce secondhand smoke and vaping aerosol exposure
Exposure to secondhand smoke from burning tobacco products causes disease and premature death among nonsmokers. There is no risk-free level of secondhand smoke, and even brief exposure can cause immediate harm. Secondhand exposure also includes exposure to vaping aerosol — the vaping smoke or cloud. It can contain potentially harmful substances, including nicotine, heavy metals like lead, volatile organize compounds and cancer-causing agents. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Support tobacco users in quitting and reducing use, and encouraging others to never start
Although there has been progress in reduction of cigarette use, the use of e-cigarettes and vaping has dramatically increased. In Colorado, almost 27 percent of high school students use e-cigarettes, the highest user rate for youth in the nation, and fewer youth believe vaping to be risky. In fall 2018, 30 percent of new, CSU incoming students used e-cigarettes before arriving on campus. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, policies that restrict tobacco use have been shown to help users quit and reduce use, as well as encourage never starting.