Transcript Document 7296478

Higher Education Meets Public Health:
Successful Collaborative Efforts to
Change Tobacco Policies on Campus
Maine Tobacco Free College Network
Emily Rines, MPH, CHES
Higher Education in Maine

Seven Public Universities
• Serving approximately 34,000 students

Seven Public Community Colleges
• Serving approximately 12,223 students

Eighteen Private Colleges
• Serving approximately 17,500 students

Two State Training Academies
• Serving approximately 1200 students
Maine Tobacco Free College
Network
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Formed in February of 2002
• 6 schools and 5 Healthy Maine Partnerships*
attended the first meeting.
* Community partnerships funded by tobacco settlement
dollars

Vision: To lead a unified effort to
strengthen campus tobacco policies, to
reduce tobacco use, and to promote
tobacco-free living.
Organizations Involved in
the Network

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American Cancer
Society
American Lung
Association of Maine
Partnership for a
Tobacco-Free,
Maine/Bureau of Health
Maine Coalition on
Smoking or Health

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
Maine Center for Public
Health
Maine College Health
Association
Maine Association of
Student Affairs
Practitioners
American Cancer Society:
Smoke-Free New England

28% increase in smoking rates
among college students since 1993
(Wechsler et al, 1998).

It’s legal for tobacco companies to
market to this age group! Started
with Joe Camel moved up to parties
& giveaways.
American Cancer Society:
Smoke-Free New England
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In response to this dramatic
increase in smoking among collegeage students, ACS developed a
comprehensive seven-step policy
campaign.
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Priority for the New England
Division
Seven – Step Policy Campaign
1.
2.
3.
Prohibit smoking in all university buildings
(residence halls, administrative facilities,
classrooms & fraternities & sororities) and
at all university sponsored events – both
indoors and out.
Prohibit the sale of tobacco products on
campus.
Prohibit the free distribution of tobacco
products on campus.
Seven – Step Policy Campaign
4.
5.
6.
7.
Prohibit tobacco advertisements in collegerun publications.
Provide free, accessible tobacco treatment
on campus and advertise it.
Prohibit campus organization from
accepting money from tobacco companies.
Prohibit the university from holding stock in
or accepting donations from the tobacco
industry.
Campus Strategies
Key issues:
 Reduce exposure to second-hand smoke.
 Reduce the environmental impact of
cigarette litter.
 Reduce the risk of fire.
 Promote an environment that supports
tobacco-free living.
Second Hand Smoke

US EPA classifies secondhand
smoke as a class a carcinogen.

7 people a day in Maine die from
tobacco use – 1 is a non smoker.
Litter & Property Damage

USM calculated the cost of picking
up cigarette litter.
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Cost of maintenance and repair
• rugs, furniture, painting
Fire Risk
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In 1998, fires caused by smoking
materials killed 900 people, injured
2,500 and caused $411.7 million in
direct property damage.
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Strict campus fire prevention
policies – why allow tobacco use?
Promoting Healthy Living
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Students establishing adult health habits
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Employers prefer tobacco-free
employees
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Promote a healthy & safe campus for all
Resources

American College Health Association
• New Position Statement on Tobacco on College
and University Campuses

American Nonsmokers’ Rights
Foundation
• Compiling list of campuses with smoke free
policies and residential housing
Resources and Technical
Assistance

Promoting basic skills and advanced tobacco
treatment training for campus health services.
 Provide forum for communications between
institutes of higher education.
 Cultivate and identify campus champions –
both administrators & students.
 Provide model policies.
Policy Implementation
Sharing information and education on
policy roll out
 Enforcement issues
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–
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Educational vs. Punitive.
Support campus community to self-regulate.
Security support of campus-wide effort
Wallet size cards & thank you pens
Barriers and Solutions
Be realistic
 Concerns about impact on students and
safety issues
 Cost
 Treatment needs
 State-wide links through MTFCN for
technical assistance
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2002 Summit
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State wide forum for campuses
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Speakers from all over New England
• Prevalence
• Tobacco use in college context
• Policy Change
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Action planning!
School Recognition Project
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MTFCN recognized 21 campuses the week
of Great American Smokeout for being
leaders in promoting tobacco free lifestyles.
Press kits & plaques provided to all
qualifying institutions to assist in planning
local celebrations.
Recognition Criteria
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Campuses with residential facilities must be 100 %
tobacco free.
Non-residential institutions must meet one of four
criteria:
•
•
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Prohibit the sale of tobacco on campus
Prohibit the free distribution of tobacco on campus
Prohibit tobacco advertisements
Provide on campus tobacco treatment
Prohibit campus organizations from accepting tobacco
companies funds
Recognition Project
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Events
• Large & Small
• Student focused with give aways
• Administrator focused
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Media & Press Coverage
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Next Steps
MTFCN’s Next Steps
 Tobacco
treatment specifically
for college population needed
MTFCN’s Next Steps
Provide treatment training specific to
college population
 Increase data collection regarding
tobacco use on college campuses in
Maine
 Address the needs of disparate
populations and non-traditional students
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MTFCN’s Hope
Create a strong voice for strengthening
campus tobacco policies
 Advocate for individual campuses as
they move along the continuum of
tobacco prevention and control
 Increase access to cessation services
on campuses using best practice
models
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Contact Information
Emily Rines, MPH, CHES
Co-Chair, Maine Tobacco Free College Network
University of New England
College of Osteopathic Medicine
655 Main St
Saco, ME 04072
[email protected]
207-294-3550