As I’d mentioned somewhere in a comment recently, the Iowa legislature caught the University off-guard by passing the smoking ban and making it effective a year ahead of when the University was planning to implement the same rule. University administrators had wanted to fire up some programs to help staff and students to kick the habit between now and then and to take a little longer working out how to enforce the smoking ban. Fortunately, some of the programs are available now. In case you didn’t read it, here’s an exerpt from an administration e-mail:
The UI offers a number of resources for faculty, staff and students who want to quit smoking. For staff and faculty, UI Wellness offers smoking cessation services and reimbursement of up to $300 for nicotine replacement or prescription drugs to aid people in stopping smoking. For students who smoke or chew tobacco, Health Iowa offers a free tobacco cessation program that includes counseling and access to various therapy products.
The ban kicks in this summer. In related news, finals are ALMOST OVER!
Steve Wieland
fsford
timhilton
smahieu
Morgan N. Engling
maryiowa
jaimiesuzi
jarens
kevinjames
brieanne
lcm
Andrew
sandista
enwinfield
their “smoking cessation wellness” program is an offer to attend group therapy, once a week. as for the $300 in reimbursements, this is the first i’ve heard of it, and trust me, i’ve looked into the options.
the “reimbursement” plan is either newly created, or poorly marketed, because it was most definitely not made available to me or any of my smoking friends when they went to the UI to seek assistance in quitting smoking (less than 6 mos. ago). in fact, we were shown the door; told UI Grad Care (one of the best health insurance plans in the country) would not assist us. but kudos if BCBS intends to fund smoking cessation services. this has not been my experience, but if they intend to do so it will alter my feelings on the smoking ban.
Let’s also consider that maybe, just maybe, some people like smoking and don’t want to quit.
The first line of the e-mail says “faculty, staff, and students who WANT to quit smoking.” I don’t think the administration is trying to force their quitting initatives on anyone, I think they’re just trying to provide and publicize options for those who want to take advantage.
I don’t think they’re forcing it on anyone, but the University did want to encourage people to do so, and they wanted more time to do it.