Tobacco

The use of tobacco products have been linked to various forms of cancer and other diseases.

If you don’t use tobacco products, it is recommended that you don’t start. If you do use tobacco products it is recommended that you seek information about quitted and cessation services. The health benefits of quitting can begin as soon as 5 minutes after you quit and your health will continue to improve over time.

The Student Wellness Center provides educational programming and promotes cessation services that are available to students.

Tobacco Products

  • Cigarettes
  • Cigars and pipes
  • Clove cigarettes
  • Hookahs
  • Electronic Nicotine Devices (ENDs)- e-cigarettes, vapes, etc.

Cessation Services for Students

Quitting tobacco products is not easy and can take individuals a few attempts before they are successful. UT Dallas is committed to assisting students who are interested in quitting.

Center for Students in Recovery

The Center for students in recovery offer one-on-one cessation support for student.

Student Health Insurance

Students that have enrolled in the Academic Blue insurance plan have access to tobacco cessation services that include cessation medications and cessation counseling.

Members who wish to learn more about tobacco cessation coverage under their BCBSTX plan should call the number on the back of their BCBSTX member ID card.

Benefits of Quitting

20 Minutes After Quitting

  • Your heart rate drops to a normal level.

12 Hours After Quitting

  • The carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal.

2 Weeks - 3 Months After Quitting

  • Your risk of having a heart attack begins to drop.
  • Your lung function begins to improve.

1 - 9 Months After Quitting

  • Your coughing and shortness of breath decrease.

1 Year After Quitting

  • Your added risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker's.

5 - 15 Years After Quitting

  • Your risk of having a stroke is reduced to that of a nonsmoker's.
  • Your risk of getting cancer of the mouth, throat, or esophagus is half that of a smoker's.

10 Years After Quitting

  • Your risk of dying from lung cancer is about half that of a smoker's.
  • Your risk of getting bladder cancer is half that of a smoker's.
  • Your risk of getting cervical cancer or cancer of the larynx, kidney or pancreas decreases.

15 Years After Quitting

  • Your risk of coronary heart disease is the same as that of a nonsmoker.
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Health Consequences of Smoking: A Report of the Surgeon General. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office on Smoking and Health, 2004.

UT Dallas Tobacco Policy

The University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas) is committed to promoting a healthier work, research, education and living environment. In order to better accomplish this goal and align UT Dallas with the best practices of leading employers and research universities, UT Dallas prohibits the use of all forms of tobacco products on University property. Any advertising, sale, or free sampling of tobacco products on University property is prohibited. Improper disposal of and/or littering the campus with the remains of tobacco products or any other related waste product also is prohibited.

Source: Tobacco-Free Campus Policy - UTDBP3089

Peers Against Tobacco

Peers Against Tobacco is a peer-led initiative to eradicate tobacco use on college campuses across Texas. Members are trained to help educate fellow students about the dangers of all forms of tobacco use. Contact the Student Wellness Center if you would like to get involved.

Annual Programs

  • Great American Smokeout
    November
  • Kick Buts Day
    March
  • World No Tobacco Day
    May