Tobacco Free Policy The time has come.. Alex de Jounge, RN, MSN, PHN Allan Hancock College Student Health Services, Coordinator

Transcription

1 Tobacco Free Policy The time has come.. Alex de Jounge, RN, MSN, PHN Allan Hancock College Student Health Services, Coordinator

2 What we know Tobacco kills 480,000 per year in US 50,000 deaths due to secondhand smoke AHC smoking rates Cigarettes: Any use 7.7% E-cigs: any use - 3% Daily use 2.7% Daily use 1% Perceived use 71.3% Perceived use 73.1%

3 Support we have Board of Governor s Resolution Adopted May 14 th, 2018 Urges all 114 community college campuses to adopt and implement 100% smoke and tobacco free polices Will make available guidelines, policy language, and more Student Senate CCC support HSACCC support American College Health Association support U.S. Department of Health and Human Services support More that twice as many U.S. colleges were smoke/tobacco free in 2017 than in *MMWR, CDC 06/22/18 AHC Smoking policy survey results

4 How often would you say you are exposed to secondhand smoke on campus? 44% reported exposure How often would you say you are exposed to vapor on campus? 40% reported exposure Would you say secondhand smoke on campus bothers you? 68% reported being bothered Would you support the college becoming a tobacco-free campus? 74% support 92% support when you remove the neutral respondents SMOKING POLICY SURVEY Conducted throughout the academic year N=264

5 Reasons to go Tobacco Free Decrease exposure to secondhand smoke EPA has found secondhand smoke to be a public health risk Class A carcinogen Tobacco Free policies change tobacco use behavior Tobacco users who worked in smoke free environments were more likely to quit and decreased number of cigs/day *2002, British Medical Journal Students at smoke free campus s found to decrease the cig use, change social norms, favorable attitudes towards policy. *2011, Preventative Medicine Protect workers not protected by state law Many workers not protected such as grounds crew, facilities, campus police

6 More Reasons. Eliminate Tobacco litter on campus Waste is toxic, releases thousands of chemicals Past Butt Clean-Up events = 1,200 1,500 butts Decreases fire risk Promote Student Success! Regardless of age of starting to smoke, most daily smoking was not established until age Graduates transition into smoke free environments: UC/ UCS, worksites, health care centers, and more Decrease exposure to new & emerging tobacco products New products are meant to circumvent existing restrictive policies E-cigs & vaping

7 But the DSAs are working.. Designated smoking areas may seem like a good idea to allow tobacco users a place to smoke; however, they have many more disadvantages than benefits. A study from Stanford University found that in outdoor designated areas with multiple smokers, levels of toxic air contaminants from secondhand smoke may be the same or higher than indoors, therefore, creating a hazardous environment to individuals standing in or around these areas. Additionally, secondhand smoke is proven to travel outside of designated areas; distance depends on wind strength and areas have also been found to encourage tobacco use by creating a social environment for daily and non-daily tobacco users. By increasing the number of individuals smoking in one area, students are more likely to believe that more people smoke than actually do. This misperception affects the norm of smoking on campus and may also contribute to increased tobacco use. Finally, designated areas are often heavily littered and smell of toxic tobacco waste. Unless regularly cleaned and maintained, these areas are unhealthy, smelly, and an eyesore.

8 California College & University Report Card

9 Will a Tobacco Free Policy cause conflict between the College and Employees? Tobacco Free policy promotes the health and wellbeing of everyone on campus Employees that work outdoors are not provided the same level of protection from secondhand smoke Tobacco Free policies support smokers attempts at quitting There is no protected right to smoke. No court has recognized smoking as a protected fundamental right or that smokers are a protected class.

10 What do we need to make this happen Cessation program already exists Enforcement Implement Campus Police citations Those cited can come to SHS and learn about the cessation program to satisfy first offense Nicotine Replacement Therapy SHS willing to supply to students or staff to get them through the day for a limited time Signage and Marketing Upcoming grant opportunities