While construction progress made at Brock over the past four months may be easy to spot for returning students, other on-campus changes may be more difficult to notice.

On May 1, after many students departed campus for summer break, a new smoke- and vapour-free academic corridor took effect.

Covering most of Brock University’s main and east campuses, the corridor spans west to east from the athletic playing fields outside of the Walker Sports Complex to the student residences across Glenridge Avenue.

Outside the corridor, there are six designated smoking areas (DSA) for smoking and vaping, which is a significant reduction from the 27 that existed this time last year.

“The smoke- and vapour-free academic corridor promotes a clean and healthy environment for our students, employees and visitors,” said Leigh Harold, Director, Health, Safety and Wellness. “Reducing the number of DSAs removes smoking in high-traffic areas and limits second-hand smoke exposure.”

The four DSAs on the main campus are located on the corridor’s peripheral — the north side of Thistle Complex leading out to Alphie’s Trough, behind DeCew Residence Dining Hall at Residence Road, in between Vallee Residence and Earp Residence near parking lot K, as well as one DSA centred around Village Residence and Lowenberger Residence.

On the east side of campus, one DSA is located behind Gateway Suites Residence and another can be found on the sidewalk in between the International Centre and Quarry View Residence.

One DSA remains at the Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts campus as well as one at Rodman Hall Art Centre. At Brock’s Hamilton campus, smoking and vaping takes place only on public sidewalks.

Parking lots on all campuses also remain smoke- and vapour-free.

While smoking or vaping tobacco is allowed in DSAs, smoking or vaping cannabis anywhere on campus is prohibited.

Members of the Brock community looking to quit or reduce their smoking habits have access to the following resources:

On-campus resources

Personal Counselling Services

Students can call 1-833-BROCK33 (1-833-276-2533) to book an appointment with a Morneau Shepell counsellor. Personal Counselling Services is located at ST 400 in the Arthur Schmon Tower.

Student Health Services

Students can call 905-688-5550 x3243 to book an appointment with a Student Health Services physician in Harrison Hall.

Employee resources

Smoking cessation resources and counselling services for eligible employees are available through the University’s Brock’s Employee and Family Assistance Program and comprehensive benefits program. Eligible Brock employees and their eligible dependents can access cessation and nicotine replacement options as well as an online smoking cessation program that provides interactive exercises, goal setting and action planning.

Community resources

Community health centres

Patients of the following community health centres can access free nicotine replacement therapy (usually patches or gum):

• Quest Community Health Centre — 905-688-2558 x243
• Niagara Falls Community Health Centre — 905-356-4222 x233
• Bridges Community Health Centre — Fort Erie: 905-871-7621 x2226 and Port Colborne: 289-479-5017 x2421

Heart Niagara

Niagara residents may be eligible to receive free nicotine replacement therapy, such as nicotine patches, gum, lozenges or inhalers. Call 905-358-5552 or visit heartniagara.com

Niagara region family health teams

Registered patients of the following family health teams can access free nicotine replacement therapy (usually patches or gum):

• Welland McMaster — 905-734-9699 x3
• Niagara North, St. Catharines — 905-988-9617 x226
• Niagara North, Niagara-on-the-Lake — 905-468-2177 x130
• Beamsville, Medical Centre — 905-563-5315
• Portage Medical — 905-354-9393 x225
• Smithville — 905-957-3328

Niagara Region Public Health

Call 905-699-8248 x7393 or visit niagararegion.ca to find out about local programs, services and resources for quitting or reducing smoking, such as group workshops, counselling and nicotine replacement therapy.

Smokers’ Helpline

Call 1-877-513-5333 or visit smokershelpline.ca to get free, personalized tools and supports such as a telephone quit coach, motivational text messages, self-help booklets and an online community. The service is available in more than 100 languages.

For more information on Brock University’s Smoking and Vaping Policy, smoking cessation resources and Designated Smoking Area Locations and Non-Compliance Procedure, visit Brock’s Smoke-Free Corridor website.

Employees can also visit the Health, Safety and Wellness SharePoint site and Employee Wellness SharePoint site to access wellness resources.