Save the Date: Tuesday March 27, 2012
Tobacco-Free Campus: A Leap for the Future WORKSHOP Earle Brown Heritage Center, Brooklyn Center This conference is designed for decisionmakers, motivated campus personnel and student leaders. A “toolkit” of resources and model policies will be provided to each campus represented. Sponsored by the American Lung Association in Minnesota. Learn about the movement in Minnesota and across the country to adopt tobacco-free policies, making tobacco use the “hard choice”. FREE! Register now - Space is limited. |
South Central College and Riverland Community College have tobacco free campus policies
Riverland Community College is a MnSCU school with campuses in Albert Lea, Austin and Owatonna. The college implemented a tobacco free campus policy on July 1, 2011. Link to policy
In announcing the policy, President Terry Leas expressed a desire for “a healthier, cleaner, and safer campus environment.” He also emphasized the school’s commitment to wellness principles for healthier students and employees.
The policy was developed in consultation with employees and students via surveys, forums, student senate meetings, and a tobacco-free campus task force.
South Central College is a MnSCU school with campuses in Faribault and North Mankato. The college implemented a tobaco free campus policy on July 1, 2010. Link to policy
Citing the science of secondhand smoke, as well as ongoing concerns
about cigarette litter, SCC President Keith Stover said that is a high priority that “we have a healthier lifestyle on campus.”
A survey of faculty and staff showed overwhelmingly support for the new policy.
Five Good Reasons for a Tobacco-Free Campus
(Compiled from actual tobacco-free campus policies.)
- Create a healthier environment in which to live and learn.
- Establish an overall campus culture of wellness.
- Support smokers who want to quit by eliminating “triggers” (such as smoking areas) that make smoking cessation difficult.
- Contribute to efforts to counteract climate change.
- Promote a tobacco-free future.
More Schools Across the Country Go Tobacco-Free
A growing number of colleges and universities are passing tobacco-free policies for their campuses. Colleges are citing their responsibility to provide healthy spaces in which their students can learn and live. Acknowledging that there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke, 648 colleges and universities have enacted smoke-free or tobacco-free policies as of January 2, 2012.
Link to list U.S. Colleges and Universities with Smokefree Air Policies
The American College Health Association supports this movement by encouraging colleges and universities to be “diligent in their efforts to achieve a 100% indoor and outdoor campus-wide tobacco-free environment. “
ACHA Position Statement on Tobacco on College and University Campuses
Minnesota Colleges and Universities
As of March 2012, 28 schools in Minnesota have implemented policies for tobacco-free or smoke-free campuses. The list continues to grow! The American Lung Association in Minnesota maintains a curent list and map. Link to ALA map and list of Minnesota schools
Schools in SE Minnesota with a tobacco-free campus policy include:
- Winona State University (January 12, 2009)
- Dakota County Technical College (January 1, 2010)
- Rochester Community and Technical College (January 1, 2010)
- South Central College (July 1, 2010)
- Riverland Community College (July 1, 2011)
Four Corners Partnership is a Resource for Local Schools
The Four Corners Partnership is engaging with the five post-secondary schools in our four-county region to support campus initiatives for tobacco-free campus policies.
• Carleton College
• Minnesota State College Southeast Technical – Red Wing
• St. Olaf College
• Riverland Community College - Owatonna
• South Central College - Faribault
Get involved in the tobacco-free campus activities at your school!
Click here to Contact Us.
Note: Please use the “Comment or Question” space to tell us which campus community you are a part of and if you are a student, faculty or staff. Thank you!
Learn more:
Healthy Campus Network hosted by the Boynton Health Service at the University of Minnesota. A network of 76 Minnesota schools and one school from nearby Wisconsin. Is your school a member?
Big Tobacco on Campus: Ending the Addiction
An eye-opening report from the Tobacco Policy Project of the American Lung Association. This 2009 report explores trends in smoking among college students and examines steps to help students, and the colleges and universities, break their addiction to tobacco.
Lots of great resources from the BACCHUS Network to help you advocate effectively for a tobacco-free campus. New! A national certification program for tobacco-free campus policies.
Americans For Nonsmokers Rights: Colleges and Universities
Includes an up-to-date national list of colleges and universities with smoke-free campus policies. This site also includes Sample Policies, Steps for Enacting a Smoke-free College Policy and links to many more resources.
