To the Temple community: 

I am pleased to announce we will be moving toward a tobacco-free campus in the coming months. Last year, the Presidential Smokefree Campus Task Force issued its final report, and after deliberations by university leadership, I have agreed we should move ahead with the group’s recommendations. 

The task force was led by College of Public Health Dean Laura Siminoff and consisted of dedicated students, faculty and staff. After extensive data collection and review, the task force recommended Temple should join the growing number of universities that are committed to the creation of a healthier working, learning and living environment. 

A comprehensive policy that will address all forms of tobacco—not just combustible products—is now being created. The goal of the policy is to eliminate the use of all tobacco products in all indoor and outdoor spaces at each Temple campus in the United States. We plan to attack the issue on a number of fronts, including smoking cessation to help students, faculty and staff break their nicotine addiction. 

The full report is available here. We are in the process of completing a policy to enact the recommendations. The goal is to have the policy in place by July 1, with full implementation taking place at the start of the 2019 fall semester. 

I want to thank Dean Siminoff and the entire task force for their detailed analysis, careful consideration and continued support as we complete and implement the policy. Their work will lead to a healthier Temple University community.

Sincerely, 

Richard M. Englert 
President