August 12, 2024
Media Contact: Cheryle Rodriguez, cheryle.rodriguez@vdh.virginia.gov
Virginia Department of Health and Eliminate Tobacco Use Virginia Release Higher Education Tobacco Policy Dashboard
RICHMOND, Va. – The Virginia Department of Health’s (VDH) Tobacco Control Program partnership with Eliminate Tobacco Use (ETU) Virginia, launched the Virginia Higher Education Tobacco Policy Dashboard to encourage colleges and universities to strengthen campus policies to reduce student and employee tobacco use and increase cessation efforts. The dashboard presents the current landscape of tobacco policies, via tobacco policy report cards, across 49 public and private college and university campuses in Virginia and will be updated on an annual basis.
“The Virginia Higher Education Tobacco Policy Dashboard is a vital tool for fostering healthier campuses across the Commonwealth,” said VDH Tobacco Control Program Epidemiologist Kyle Girone. “By providing a detailed overview of current tobacco policies and offering targeted recommendations for improvement, this initiative empowers institutions to take proactive steps in reducing tobacco use and supporting cessation efforts. This collaborative effort, backed by a coalition of dedicated partners, underscores our commitment to creating tobacco-free environments that benefit students, employees, and the broader community.”
The tobacco policy report cards for each college and university evaluate existing tobacco policies and identify key areas needing improvement based on standards established by the Americans for Non-Smokers Rights Foundation. These assessments consider various factors, such as the types of tobacco products covered by the policies, whether the campus has designated smoking locations, availability of cessation resources, and the effectiveness of school prevention efforts. The report cards offer valuable insights, highlighting both the strengths of current policies and the specific areas where enhancements are necessary.
According to a college campus analysis performed by the American for Non-Smokers Rights Foundation, Virginia currently ranks second to last in the United States for tobacco-free higher education. Executive Order 41 (2006) authorizes state agency heads, including those of higher education institutions, to set appropriate guidelines for smoking on state-owned property. A clarifying document released in 2021 confirmed that public institutions of higher education can ban smoking in all spaces deemed appropriate by the institution.
Research shows that nearly nine out of ten adults who smoke cigarettes daily, first tried smoking by age 18, and 99% by age 26. Since most college students fall within this age range, implementing policies that prevent tobacco use and support health is crucial. Tobacco-free campus policies have proven effective in reducing exposure to secondhand smoke, preventing tobacco use among students, and aiding individuals in overcoming nicotine dependence.
For more information, visit Eliminate Tobacco Use or the VDH Tobacco Control Program.
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