The Ohio State University received national accolades for its tobacco-free policy as the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) presented its Silver Award in the HHS Tobacco-Free College Campus Initiative (TFCCI).
Capt. Jim Lando, regional health administrator for the HHS, presented the award to Ohio State’s tobacco-free implementation committee and executive sponsors today, highlighting Ohio State’s comprehensive policy.
“We help students prepare for productive lives after they leave Ohio State. One of the most important assets they can take with them is their health and wellness,” said Javaune Adams-Gaston, vice president for student life at The Ohio State University. “This award recognizes our efforts to provide students with the opportunity to have a bright, healthy future.”
“Here at Ohio State, we are deeply committed to building the healthiest university in the world,” Bernadette Mazurek Melnyk, PhD, RN, FAANP, FNAP, FAAN, associate vice president for health promotion, university chief wellness officer, dean of the College of Nursing at The Ohio State University and associate vice president for health promotion said. “Creating a culture and environment of wellness is key to promoting and sustaining healthy lifestyle behaviors and making healthy choices the easy choices for our students, faculty and staff to make. Our tobacco-free initiative is one of many key initiatives to improve our population’s health and wellness.”
As of Jan. 1, 2014, the use of all types of tobacco products is prohibited in all university buildings and on all university-owned properties, including parking lots, garages and all outside areas. (Read the full policy at tobaccofree.osu.edu.)
“Cigarette smoking alone is responsible for more deaths than HIV/AIDS, alcohol, motor vehicle crashes, homicide, suicide, illegal drugs and fires combined,” Lando, said. “Almost all smokers begin tobacco use by age 26, making college and university campuses a critical target for tobacco-use prevention and cessation efforts.”
In order to qualify for the TFCCI award and carry the title of tobacco-free, colleges must adhere to a number of criteria including but not limited to: not having tobacco-related advertising or sponsorship permitted on campus property and the prevention of sale of any tobacco product or paraphernalia produced by the university for distribution on campus.
The TFCCI Challenge's ultimate goal is to have all colleges and universities be 100-percent smoke or tobacco free by 2017.
