Tobacco News

Tobacco use among the mentally ill far outstrips use by other groups. The findings, released this month in a report, “A Hidden Epidemic: Tobacco Use and Mental Illness,” by the nonprofit Legacy put the rate at almost double that in the general population.

It doesn’t have to be. Virginia banned tobacco use for patients and staff in its 16 state psychiatric facilities in 2008. The smoking ban, implemented by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services was precipitated by Executive Order No. 41 issued by former Gov. Tim Kaine in 2006. Ream more »

The American Cancer Society will honor SUNY Cortland for its decision to become a tobacco-free campus during a Wednesday, Nov. 16, campus event aimed at persuading students to participate in the annual Great American Smokeout.

Students will be encouraged to sign tobacco-free pledges and will be given “quit kits” from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Corey Union during the event, scheduled for the day before the 36th annual Great American Smokeout on Thursday, Nov. 17. Ream more »

Washington- Beaufort County Schools (BCS) has entered its fourth tobacco-free school year. No individual may use or possess any tobacco products on BCS property.

The tobacco-free school policy applies to all school system property, including BCS vehicles. The policy also includes all school-sponsored events, both on and off-campus. Students, staff and visitors are encouraged to comply with this policy.
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The Tobacco Free program at Ostara Campbelltown is for people who are living with mental illness who would like to quit or reduce their smoking.

This group meets for 2 hours each Thursday starting from October 13th 2011. There are 10 two hour sessions and each session is split into 2 sections. The first section is where you with learn information and skills that will help you with your smoking. The second section is a support group where you will receive support and ideas from other group members and have the opportunity to share your journey. Ream more »

The University of Oregon is launching an education campaign to prepare students, faculty, staff and visitors for a significant change in Fall 2012, when the UO will become a smoke and tobacco-free university.

In November 2010, UO President Richard Lariviere made the announcement and committed to helping tobacco users in the campus community with support and assistance to kick their habits.
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It has taken a little longer than it did for many of the state’s colleges and universities, but OU’s Norman campus will soon be tobacco free. The Health Science Center in Oklahoma City and Tulsa campuses are already tobacco free.

It follows the policies first advanced on Norman public school campuses years ago. Norman Regional Hospital followed. Oklahoma State University is tobacco free, as is Rose State College. Ream more »

Members of a local anti-tobacco coalition were on hand Wednesday at Chisholm High School to recognize the school for its 24/7 tobacco-free policy.

Mary Anna Evans, Garfield County Tobacco Free Coalition chairwoman, said she and her fellow coalition members were at Chisholm to recognize the school for promoting healthy, tobacco-free lifestyles among its students and employees. Ream more »

When you arrive at Lafayette County Elementary School you may notice a bright new sign welcoming visitors to the tobacco free campus.

On Thursday, July 28 Lafayette County Elementary School had their “Tobacco Free School Grounds” sign installed. Tobacco Free Lafayette Partnership which was sponsored by Lafayette County Health Department and local community citizens have partnered throughout the past two years to bring awareness and education to the community on Tobacco related issues.
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Tobacco use remains the No. 1 preventable cause of disease and death in the United States, resulting in more than 430,000 deaths a year from personal use and more than 50,000 deaths annually from secondhand smoke exposure. Additionally, in recent years, the surgeon general determined there is no safe level of exposure. We now know that young children not only are at risk from secondhand smoke exposure, but also thirdhand smoke exposure from the numerous toxic particles, emitted from a cigarette or cigar, that fall and accumulate on common surfaces such as clothes, furniture and carpet. Ream more »

As you might imagine, not one City Council member asked for a closer look at Kevin Keenan’s butt collection.

The GCASA Prevention Educator brought his plastic jugs and bags to the council business meeting last night. They contained thousands of cigarette butts collected by volunteer children at four area parks: Lambert, Lyons, Falleti and Austin. Keenan used them as evidence of the smoking that goes on in the parks.

“The kids picked these up within an hour,” Keenan stressed. “If we were there longer, we’d have picked up a lot more than that.” Ream more »