Transcript MAKING YOUR CAMPUS TOBACCO-FREE

INNOVATIVE EDUCATORS WEBINAR
THE PROS AND CONS OF MAKING YOUR
CAMPUS TOBACCO-FREE
Ty Patterson
Director of The Center of Excellence for Tobacco-Free Campus Policy
Ozarks Technical Community College
Springfield Missouri
INNOVATIVE EDUCATORS WEBINAR
THE PROS AND CONS OF MAKING YOUR
CAMPUS TOBACCO-FREE
Ty Patterson
Director of The Center of Excellence for Tobacco-Free Campus Policy
Ozarks Technical Community College
Springfield Missouri
About The Center of Excellence for
Tobacco-Free Campus Policy
Established in 2004 at Ozarks Technical Community College
Funded by OTC and revenue generated by workshops and
consultation services
The Director is part time and the only employee
OTC provides salary, office, computer, telephone and budget
Workshops/Consultation Services
Center of Excellence workshops and/or consultation services
have helped the following institutions pursue tobacco-free policy
University of Central Oklahoma
University of Arkansas
Oklahoma State University
De Anza Community College
St. Charles Community College
State Fair Community College
North Arkansas Community College
Stanly Community College
Ivy Tech Community College-Lafayette
Des Moines Area Community College
Lansing Community College
Waterloo Community College
Ashville-Buncombe Community College
Portland Community College
University of Wisconsin Baraboo-Sauk Valley
St. Louis Community College-Meramec
Why make campuses completely tobacco-free?
1.
Promotes clean air and a healthy environment
2.
Assures access for those affected by exposure to SHS
3.
Teaches respect for others
4.
Demonstrates leadership
5.
Prepares students for the future
6.
Eliminates tacit approval of under age tobacco use
Promotes Clean Air & Healthy Environment
EPA classifies secondhand smoke as a Group A carcinogen
along with chemicals such as asbestos and radon.
CDC reports prevalence of smoking in the 18–24 age group is
greatest (24.4%).
Most effective method to help people quit tobacco use is a
workplace prohibition.
Assures Access
Higher education institutions are committed to providing access for
those with disabilities. Many disabled have conditions which are
adversely affected by exposure to SHS. Also, the Centers for
Disease Control estimates that approximately 10% of the
population suffers from conditions which are exacerbated by
exposure to SHS. Making campuses completely tobacco-free
assures access for anyone adversely impacted by exposure to
SHS.
The US Surgeon General reported in 2006
There is no safe level of exposure to second hand smoke (SHS).
Teaches Respect For Others
Recent tragedies on college campuses reveal the need to
emphasize respect for others.
Making campuses 100% tobacco-free is done only because
tobacco users disrespect the impact of their use on others.
Were they to respect the effect of tobacco use on others, there
would be no need for such policies.
The tobacco-free policy provides a framework for discussion
about respecting others.
All policies teach!
Demonstrates Leadership
A 100% tobacco-free institution establishes itself as a leader with
businesses, industries, health care institutions and municipal
governments in the movement to assure clean air and a healthy
environment for all.
The institution will help organizations learn how to develop and
successfully implement tobacco-free policy.
Prepares Students For The Future
By adopting this policy the institution prepares its students for entry
or advancement in workplaces that are becoming increasingly
tobacco-free.
Many states have passed laws requiring medical facilities to be
completely tobacco-free. And, according to the US Chamber of
Commerce over 7,000 businesses are tobacco-free.
The Cleveland Clinic (third largest medical organization in the world
with 33,000 employees) became 100% tobacco-free last year and
gave employees 3 months to quit using tobacco or lose their jobs.
Eliminates Tacit Approval Of Underage Tobacco Use
Institutions that allow tobacco use in designated areas or at
specified distances from building entrances/exits are giving tacit
approval for the under aged to use tobacco on their campuses.
A completely tobacco-free institution does not face the moral
problem of giving tacit approval for the under aged to smoke or
chew tobacco on campus.
Institutions with 100% tobacco-free policies are overwhelmingly
supported by parents of minors.
Why do people oppose tobacco-free campus policy?
1. Tramples on tobacco users rights
2. Would be unenforceable
3. Everyone would have to approve
4. Enrollment would decline
5. Would push tobacco users off campus
6. Would be costly
Tobacco Users Have Rights
This is the only argument challenging whether the policy is right. It
bears more scrutiny than “practicality” arguments.
The use of tobacco is not a right. The institution has the authority to
restrict or prohibit tobacco use; as it most often does alcohol use.
Most institutions restrict smoking to areas outside buildings with the
possible exception of on campus living areas.
100% tobacco-free policy often requires re-thinking one’s position in
light of evidence of the deleterious effects of SHS.
Policy Is Unenforceable
Usually presented because enforcement of designated smoking areas or
building perimeter restrictions has not worked in the past.
This argument assumes (or supports the notion that) non compliance with a
policy is an option. In fact, there is no option for an employee or student to
be non compliant with an institutional policy! Expectations must be managed.
The best approach is to focus on educating about the policy and seeking
compliance. Essentially, a 100% tobacco-free policy will ultimately be self
enforced. In time the culture will embrace and revere the policy as church
members do their tobacco policy.
Everyone Needs To Approve The Policy
A bottom up approach to tobacco-free policy may not be necessary
but is sometimes used when the leader perceives a lack of board
support or there is a desire to delay the process.
In recent cases at Pennsylvania State University and University of
Arkansas, Fayetteville; the Chancellors succeeded in getting their
Boards to approve the policy without approval by employees or
students.
In community colleges it is not as common for policies to be
established from the bottom up but student and employee support
is often solicited.
Enrollment Would Decline
There is often fear of undesirable consequences when a controversial policy
is proposed. This argument is based on the notion that individuals who oppose
the policy will decide not to attend in greater number than those who decide to
attend because of the policy.
There is no way to prove who decides to not express interest in a college
because of a policy. Those who express an interest and do not “convert” can be
surveyed regarding their decision. Likewise those who choose an institution can
be surveyed regarding why they decided to attend.
Of the100+ higher education institutions* thought to be completely tobacco-free
none have reported a decline when compared with projected enrollment. In
many enrollments have exceeded projections.
* This list is available at www.otc.edu/about/tobaccofree.php.
Would Push Tobacco-Users On Neighbors
This argument is dependent on the proximity of commercial and
residential areas to the campus. When there are neighbors who might
be affected it is important to discuss the policy with them.
A number of institutions have found support for tobacco-free campus
policy among potential residential and or commercial property owners.
Understanding the impact on neighbors is important in developing a
successful plan.
This has caused some institutions to choose to “not enforce the
tobacco-free policy in vehicles parked on campus.”
Would Be Costly
The cost of messaging/signage and other expenses of making
your campus tobacco-free are minimal. Based on feedback
from tobacco-free institutions the cost of implementing and
maintaining the policy is less than the cost of removing tobacco
litter from the campus before the policy went into effect.
It is recommended any revenue from citations for violation of
the policy be applied to the tobacco-free education and
maintenance account.
Keys to Success
Treat others with respect
Do not demonize tobacco users
Have clear rationale for the policy
Educate and seek compliance
Be slow to penalize
Establish reasonable expectations
Time is your ally
The Center of Excellence for Tobacco-Free Campus
Policy Announces The 6th Annual Tobacco-Free
Workshop June 19, 2009 Springfield Missouri