For the health and well-being of those who live, work and study at the school, the Redeemer University College campus will become smoke-free on September 1, 2018. Staff, faculty, students and guests will be asked not to use tobacco and related products, including chewing tobacco, e-cigarettes and vaporizers, while on the university’s campus.

The decision, made by the university’s senior leadership, was made with the intention of promoting the health and well-being of students, staff, faculty and visitors. “There are increasing issues with sensitivities and allergies both to traditional tobacco smoke and to the emissions from electronic cigarettes,” says Ed Bosveld ‘92, Interim Vice President of Administration and Finance, “The negative health effects of smoking are also well-known, and include exposure to second-hand smoke.”

In making this change, Redeemer will join a growing group of smoke-free post-secondary institutions in Canada, which includes McMaster University, Trinity Western University, The King’s University and more than a dozen others.

Beginning this spring, signage will be posted around campus to give smokers plenty of notice that the campus is becoming smoke-free before the September implementation date.