UF counts down to a 100-percent tobacco-free campus, offers giveaways

June 7, 2010

The University of Florida Area Health Education Center staff is counting down the days to the launch of UF’s 100 percent tobacco-free campus policy. The policy goes into effect on July 1. Currently (June 7), there are 23 days remaining before the policy is implemented.

UF AHEC is partnering with GatorWell during the month of June to educate the faculty, staff, students and visitors about UF’s 100 percent tobacco-free initiative. The two groups will host a table event on Friday, June 11 at the Reitz Union Colonnade, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m, and again on June 16 at Turlington Plaza, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Free giveaways, free carbon monoxide testing and tobacco-cessation information will be available.

The free carbon monoxide (CO) testing will be provided for smokers who would like to know their CO level. CO is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas that reduces the ability of blood to carry oxygen. Smokers have much higher CO levels than non-smokers, which means their bodies are starved of oxygen that is needed to survive. For this quick test, smokers blow into a mouthpiece, and within a minute are able to view their CO level on the hand-held CO monitor.