In an Aug. 25 campus-wide e-mail, President Capilouto proclaimed that UK was joining over 1,100 colleges and universities in the United States as having a tobacco-free campus, but you don’t have to look far to see that the claim is just that – a claim and nothing more. 

An open records request filed by the Kentucky Kernel found that since UK implemented its tobacco-free campus policy in 2009 they have not filed any citations against people smoking on campus, proving their policy to just be lip-service.

If UK plans to inconsistently enforce this policy or avoids it all together they’d be apt to reconsider their strong-armed position and look to accommodate smokers by providing a smoking zone on campus off the beaten path of foot traffic. Currently students, faculty and other campus commuters gather in various spots on campus to light up, including behind White Hall and Patterson Office Tower, near the hospital, and along Rose Street near the Chem./Phys. Building and President’s house. 

The excessive amount of smoking near the hospital is cause for concern considering the immediate and long-term health risks associated with smoking and secondhand smoke. Adding further to these frustrations is the number of doctors, nurses and other UK medical staff seen outside smoking. 

According to Capilouto’s e-mail the policy is enforced by Tobacco-free Take Action! Ambassadors, but these ambassadors are rarely seen navigating campus, leading to no real change and a solidification of the values opposite of what UK and the majority of the campus community wish to see. The Kernel’s records request also found that only 11 of these ambassadors are on campus.

Students are also encouraged to report violators of the policy to campus officials, leaving those who abide to the rule wondering if UK has any real, thought-out solutions to curbing this problem other than relying on tips from people. 

Data compiled in a 2014 study by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention show that Kentucky, along with West Virginia, have the highest rates of adult tobacco users in the country, with nearly 27 out of every 100 adults in the state regularly smoking. Kentucky is leading the way, but this is not a victory worth bragging about. The university needs to apply more swift actions to enforce the policy and help reverse the upward trend of smokers in the bluegrass.

According to UK, violators to the policy are reported to the Dean of Students and can face disciplinary actions, although the university doesn’t provide specifics regarding the punishment. Employee violators are reported to their supervisors and can receive discipline under UK’s Human Resources policy.

The university’s lack of action only shows that UK and Capilouto will talk the talk to appease their critics, but won’t necessarily walk the walk. Actions speak louder than words, and UK’s current inaction is speaking volumes about their commitment to providing an inclusive and healthy learning environment for all.