18. Do I have to quit using tobacco?

No. The policy prohibits smoking and using tobacco products on all CSU properties, but individuals are not required to quit. While quitting is not required, one goal of the systemwide smoke and tobacco free policy is to increase knowledge and utilization of available cessation resources in order to improve the health and well-being of our community. Environmental policy is a key public health intervention to promote behavior change over time by redirecting available resources, shifting cultural and social norms, and increasing public awareness of wellness issues.

Research shows that most tobacco users are interested in quitting but do not know of existing resources to help them to quit. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the majority of tobacco users tried to quit at least once in the past year and nearly 7 out of 10 (68.0%) adult smokers in the US report that they want to quit completely. Every attempt to quit increases a smokers’ likelihood of successfully stopping smoking, and most smokers attempt to quit at least 7 times before they are successful.