Smoking Policies at UBC

According to stated policies at UBC: “smoking is prohibited:

• in all UBC buildings
• 6 meters from any doorway or building air intake, such as an openable window or air vent
• in all UBC vehicles
• in (and 6 meters around) bus shelters.”

The rules in Acadia Park and University Apartments can be found in the Residence Agreement.

The results are in

During March, 73 surveys were completed by residents of Acadia Park and University Apartments. Here are the results from the survey:

• Respondents were: 29% - students; 11% - staff or faculty; 60% - family members of students, staff or faculty
• 90% of respondents were non-smoking
• The most common places that people said they notice people smoking were outside, but not near buildings. Examples include on pathways/roadways, in the Community Garden, near the laundry room, in parking lots, near playgrounds/childcare centres, and near garbage bins.
• The second most common places that people said they notice people smoking were nearby residential buildings including on balconies, in yards, near doorways, etc.
• 27% expressed satisfaction for the current policy in Acadia Park/University Apartments
• 11% expressed they did not know about the policy in Acadia Park/University Apartments
• 22% expressed dissatisfaction with the policy in Acadia Park/University Apartments
• 49% described negative experiences with smoking
• 10% described positive experiences with smoking
• 8% reported neutral experiences with smoking
• Of the negative experienced described, the most commonly cited concerns were exposure to second-hand smoke, concern for children, and butt litter.
• Through observational surveys, cigarette butts were noted on the ground throughout the community, most notably along Acadia Park Lane.

Complete the Online Survey!

Residents of Acadia Park and University Apartments, including students, staff, faculty and their adult family members are invited to complete the survey by March 14, 2010 and enter to win a draw for a $50 gift card at the UBC Bookstore:

"Voice! Raise Yours: Tobacco and Smoking at UBC"

If you or someone you know would prefer to fill out the survey in Spanish or Chinese, please visit the information booth in the Acadia Commonsblock at one of these times:

• Saturday March 6 at the Pancake Breakfast (9:30 am - 11:00 am)
• Monday March 8 at Parents n Tots (10:00 am - 11:30 am)
• Wednesday March 10 at Parents n Tots (10:00 am - 11:30 am)

Involvement Opportunities

We are currently recruiting Acadia Park and University Apartments community members to help with this project. We are able to pay an honorarium equivalent to $20 per hour for the following opportunities:

• Translation services: translate our 9-question survey from English to Chinese, Farsi or Spanish (3 positions: approximately 2 hours each position)
• Translation services: translate responses to the survey from Chinese, Farsi or Spanish to English (3 positions: approximately 5-10 hours each position)
• Community Outreach: Host a booth at Parents n Tots on March 1, 3, 5 (10-11:30 am) and/or at the Family Pancake Breakfast on March 6 (2-3 positions: approximately 5-10 hours each) – you should be able to attend at least 2 of these dates; you will receive a short orientation to the project and while hosting the booth, you will invite community members to fill out a short survey. Preference will be given if you speak English and a second language (especially Farsi, Spanish or Mandarin).
• Take photos of your community to show your experience(s) with smoking; you can be a non-smoker or a smoker (10+ positions: approximately 2 hours each); includes a short orientation meeting/telephone call, taking photos, and submitting them; digital cameras will be provided for the project.

To get involved or find out more, contact Patty Hambler, Student Development Officer-Wellness, at patty.hambler@ubc.ca or 604-822-6236 by February 24, 2010.

Get Involved!

We are currently recruiting Acadia Park and University Apartments community members to help with this project. By getting involved, you can:

• learn about community-based action research methods


• earn some extra money


• help us find out what Acadia/UA residents think about smoking on campus
  

To get involved or find out more, contact Patty Hambler, Student Development Officer-Wellness, at patty.hambler@ubc.ca or 604-822-6236.