Finlandia University campuses now smoke- and tobacco-free

HANCOCK -- Finlandia University has announced that its campuses are smoke- and tobacco-free effective August 1, 2013.

"The decision to institute this policy was in response to urging from students, student groups, and employees, as well as in response to state and national trends, and trends on college and university campuses nationwide," says Finlandia president Philip Johnson, adding that encouraging the overall good health of students and employees was also an important consideration.

Johnson says the policy applies to all indoor and outdoor university areas, activities, and property. The policy does not apply to tobacco use in personal vehicles.

University leadership has been preparing for the change since announcement of the policy in fall 2011. Johnson says that various healthy living resources and incentives will be available to Finlandia students and employees who wish to quit smoking.

For information about the university’s smoke- and tobacco-free policy, please contact TyAnn Lindell, EVP for academic and student affairs, at 906-487-7301.