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

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

Why make campuses completely tobacco-free?

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