Purpose:
To outline the System-wide health information/educational program on
the health risks related to tobacco
Date Approved:
June
6, 1991 (Editorially amended
September 2000)
Background:
At
the June 6, 1991, meeting, the Board of Regents discussed the possible sale of
securities in companies engaged in the manufacture or sale of tobacco
products. On a divided vote no change
was made in the investment policy regarding tobacco securities, but the
following resolution was adopted:
Resolution Regarding Tobacco-Related
Health Concerns
WHEREAS, The University of Texas System has a significant commitment to and investment in health care, prevention, and research; and
WHEREAS, The University of Texas System Board of Regents has considerable concern about the well documented negative health impact of the use of tobacco products; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the U. T. Board of Regents takes the following courses of action to advance its responsibility in addressing this significant health concern:
(1) The Chancellor is directed to develop and implement a System-wide health information/educational program on the health risks related to tobacco with the active leadership of The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas School of Public Health at Houston, and other health components with expertise in effective health promotion and public health education;
(2) Recognizing that effective health education programs must be focused on the primary and secondary school grades, the Chancellor is directed, in concert with presidents and faculty involved in teacher preparation programs, to develop improved curriculum content focused on enhancing the health education teaching abilities of graduates of the U. T. System teacher preparation programs;
(3) The U. T. Board of Regents will exert its best efforts to allocate funding for these health education efforts from available sources as permitted by law;
(4) The Chancellor is directed to determine the feasibility of reduced health insurance premiums for employees who do not use tobacco products;
(5) Effective immediately, all U. T. System facilities are declared to be smoke free and the Chancellor and component presidents are instructed to work with faculty, staff, and students on appropriate implementation plans with the understanding that appropriate individual medical exceptions, particularly in clinical treatment situations, will be considered;
(6) Effective immediately, a phased program leading to the prohibition of tobacco sales on U. T. System campuses or at University sponsored events will be implemented. Existent contracts with external vendors permitting sale of tobacco products are to be renegotiated and/or cancelled at the earliest possible date; and
(7) Other State agencies and institutions of higher education, particularly those with health promotion, care, treatment and/or research as parts of their mission, are urged to consider similar courses of action as part of a responsible statewide effort to address this critical health issue.
Last reviewed September 2000