Tobacco-Free Campus Policies September 27, 2012

Welcome Maine Tobacco-Free College Network is dedicated to providing Maine’s post-secondary learning institutions with the information and resources needed to create tobacco-free campuses. We provide technical assistance to college administrators, health centers, student advocacy groups and public health advocates in order to encourage the creation of tobacco-free environments and the promotion of tobacco-free lifestyles on the campuses of post-secondary institutions. MTFCN is an initiative of the Breathe Easy Coalition of Maine and is funded by the Partnership For A Tobacco-Free Maine/Maine CDC, DHHS.

Outline 1. The Case for Tobacco-Free Campuses

2. Steps for Policy Change

3. Gold Star Standards of Excellence Awards Program

4. Growing Support for Tobacco-Free Colleges

5. Resources Developed by MTFCN

6. Questions

Why are schools going tobacco-free?

• Tobacco-free policies create a healthier and safer environment for students, staff, faculty and visitors

• Going tobacco-free is a way show your commitment to the environment

• Tobacco-free campus changes the social norm around tobacco

• Policies remove exposure to tobacco smoke on campus

Tobacco-Free is Environmentally Friendly

• Prohibiting tobacco use on campus will reduce the amount of cigarette butts and other tobacco product related litter on campus.

• Not only is tobacco product waste unsightly but it also has a

negative environmental impact. • For example: cigarette filters are non-biodegradable plastic • On average, it takes about 25 years for a cigarette butt to decompose • It can be time consuming and costly to clean up after littered tobacco waste

• Studies have concluded that campus policies will reduce the grounds clean-up costs by reducing the amount of tobacco

product waste. Tobacco Control, 2011

Health Effects • Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death

and disease.

• There is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke – even brief exposure can cause damage that can lead to serious disease and even death.

• Non-smokers exposed to secondhand smoke at home or work increase their risk of developing heart disease by 25-30% and lung cancer by 20-30%.

• Quitting at any age is beneficial and tobacco-free policies encourage users to quit.

US Surgeon General, 2006, 2010

Tobacco Use on Campus Tobacco-free campus policies don’t require anyone to quit but prohibits tobacco use on campus grounds. The majority of the campus community won’t have to alter habits if the campus goes tobacco-free:

• About 75% of students and 80% of faculty and staff are non-smokers.

Almost all smokers, 99%, start before age 26; 28% of college smokers began to smoke regularly at or after 19 – when they were already in college. The majority of the campus community believe people should be protected from secondhand smoke:

• 88% of young adults and 90% of all adults believe this. Partnership for a Tobacco-Free Maine, American Cancer Society

Changing social norm around tobacco At least 774 institutions of higher learning across the United States have adopted 100% smoke-free policies – 562 are 100% tobacco-free.

- Since 2011, the number of Maine colleges/universities with 100% tobacco-free policies has tripled!

Mainers are used to smoke-free environments, Maine law prohibits smoking in:

• Restaurants and Bars • Indoor Workplaces and Public Places • State Parks and Beaches • Outdoor Dining Areas • Public K-12 Schools are 100% tobacco-free

Many private homes and nearly 50% of all rental units are smoke-free in Maine.

Steps for Tobacco-Free Policy Adoption 1. Establish a policy committee/workgroup.

2. Determine policy parameters – draft plan (timeframe, policy

language, enforcement strategies, etc).

3. Build support of key stakeholders (administration, student leaders, faculty and staff leaders).

4. Communicate policy to campus community prior to when it takes effect and post signage.

5. Prepare and distribute educational materials on policy, tobacco use, quitting and secondhand smoke to faculty, staff and students.

6. Implement and enforce tobacco-free campus policy.

Policy Implementation Tips • Successful policy enforcement requires effective communication and

is dependent upon respect, thoughtfulness, and cooperation of everyone.

• Policy changes often are catalysts for tobacco users to attempt quitting – make sure resources and information is available on campus to support their efforts.

• Remove outdoor ashtrays – placing them by entrances to buildings may cause confusion about the policy.

• Be proud of your policy and be continue to monitor your campus after going tobacco-free. If there are areas where cigarette butts continue to accumulate, increase signage and enforcement coverage in the area.

Gold Star Standards of Excellence The Maine Tobacco-Free College Network has developed 10 model policy standards based upon evidence-based strategies for creating tobacco-free environments and promoting tobacco-free lifestyles. Policy standards found online at: www.mainetobaccofreecollegenetwork.org/policy

Gold Star Standards of Excellence Recognition Program: -All Maine institutions of higher education are eligible to apply and will be recognized if they meet 5 of the 10 standards. - Applications sent electronically and by mail to all Maine schools in September - Applications Due to MTFCN: October 18th - Award Celebration and Press Event: November 15th

Policy Standard 1: Adopt a 100% Tobacco-Free Policy

All tobacco use is prohibited: • in all university affiliated buildings (including residence halls, administrative facilities, classrooms and fraternity and sorority houses) • at all university sponsored events – both indoor and outdoor • on all university grounds • in all university-owned or leased vehicles Policy applies to all students, faculty, staff, visitors, vendors and others. Tobacco use is defined as the smoking or use of any tobacco product, including but not limited to, cigarettes, cigars, smokeless or spit tobacco, chew, snuff, snus and other non-FDA approved nicotine delivery devices (such as e-cigarettes).

Policy Standard 2: Signage Place appropriate signage at key locations on campus, including entrances to the campus, parking lots, and buildings

Policy Standard 3: Share information about tobacco use, quitting, secondhand smoke and the policy

Educational materials about tobacco use, treatment opportunities, secondhand smoke and the campus policy are readily available to students, faculty, staff and visitors.

Policy Standard 4: Information about tobacco policy and use is integrated into existing trainings, events and programs. Tobacco related information and resources are integrated into existing trainings, events and programs. Examples: - Supervisors, residence hall staff, or other key leaders receive training on how to discussing tobacco use and the current policy. - An ongoing campus group, such as a wellness team or tobacco-free committee, is charged with increasing awareness of secondhand smoke harms, effects of tobacco use and the policy. - Trainings are offered to help campus community members discuss tobacco use and provide tobacco treatment.

Policy Standard 5: Tobacco treatment is a provided medical benefit. Tobacco treatment services, such as counseling and nicotine replacement therapy medications, are a covered benefit in the college/university’s insurance package for employees and dependents and in the offered student insurance plan.

Policy Standard 6: Tobacco advertising and promotion are prohibited on campus. The advertising and promotion of tobacco products is not allowed on the college/university campus or at satellite facilities, including advertising in university publications, such as newspapers and magazines.

The sale and/or free distribution of tobacco products and paraphernalia is prohibited on campus and at all campus sponsored events, including by any student group or organization.

Policy Standard 7: No sale or distribution of tobacco products is permitted.

Policy Standard 8: Campus Organizations forbidden from accepting tobacco company funds. Policy Standard 9:The university refuses all donations from the tobacco industry, and divests itself of tobacco company stock.

Policy Standard 10:Recommendations for college/university visitor lodging will highlight establishments with smoke-free policies.

Support for completing your Gold Star Standards Application

More than 20% of Maine colleges and universities participated in the inaugural awards in 2011 – past participating schools are encouraged to reapply. MTFCN developed an application guide clarifying the intention of each standard and providing example best answers from Maine school’s who participated in 2011. The guide document can be found at: www.MaineTobaccoFreeCollegeNetwork.org/policy

Growing Support for TF Campuses http://www.acha.org/Publications/docs/Position_Statement_on_Tobacco_Nov2011.pdf

Growing Support for TF Campuses September 2012 – Kick-off of National Tobacco-Free College Campus Initiative Watch the webcast recording at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saeyDBuA_Xc&feature=player_embedded#!

Resources from the MTFCN

Resources from the MTFCN

Materials in Tobacco-Free Campus Support Packet: • Sample Policy Language • Frequently Asked Questions Document • Sample Press Release • Sample Announcement Letters for Staff, Faculty, Students and

Campus Neighbors • Tobacco-Free Campus Handbill • Model Signage • Palm Card Enforcement Tool

Resources from the MTFCN

Peer-to-Peer Workshop • MTFCN will host a free workshop for colleges and universities prior

to the Gold Star Standards Awards Celebration on November 15th. (10-1pm, Hilton Garden Inn, Bangor)

• Discuss successes and challenges about adopting, implementing and enforcing tobacco-free campus policies with colleagues from other Maine college and universities.

• Register at: http://www.123contactform.com/form-376864/TobaccoFree-CollegeUniversity-PeertoPeer-Workshop

Connect with the Network

www.MaineTobaccoFreeCollegeNetwork.org info@MaineTobaccoFreeCollegeNetwork.org (207)874-8774 Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/BreatheEasyMaine Join our e-newsletter list by contacting the MTFCN Access archived tobacco-free environment presentations at: www.slideshare.net/breatheeasy