Louisiana Tobacco-Free Colleges: A Everyone s Student s Right to Breathe Clean Air ACHA 2011 Phoenix, AZ Tara L. Gallien, Ph.D., CHES Northwestern State University Monique Elwood-Brown, B.S. The Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living Linda Brown, M.Ed. Southern University Ag Center Page 1
ACHA Position Statement Tobacco on College and University Campuses released SEPTEMBER 2009 9 position statements Page 2
LEARNING OBJECTIVES Discuss/describe: 1. the current need for tobacco prevention and control initiatives targeting 8-24 year olds. 2. the creation of a comprehensive statewide program to address tobacco use among 18-24 year olds. 3. effective policy change on college campuses. 4. the current status of 100% smoke-free and tobacco-free campuses across the U.S. Page 3
A brief review of the facts Page 4
TOBACCO USE is the single most preventable cause of disease and disability in the U.S. claims nearly a ½ million lives each year. is responsible for 1 in 5 deaths. Adult males and females lose an average of 13.2 and 14.5 years of life, respectively. An estimated $193 billion, $97 billion in lost productivity and $96 billion in direct health care expenditures (2004). Source: American Lung Association, Trends in Tobacco Use, 2010 Page 5
SECONDHAND SMOKE (SHS) There is no safe level of exposure. Exposure causes disease and premature death in children and adults who do not smoke. contains more than 250 toxic or carcinogenic chemicals. claims an estimated 50,000 lives each year. Source: Surgeon General s Report on SHS, 2006 Page 6
CIGARETTE BUTTS are the most common form of litter worldwide. are made of cellulose acetate, a synthetic fiber that can take up to 25 years to decompose. have chemical toxins that seep into the ground contaminating soil and groundwater. are an environmental health issue. Source: TobaccoFreeKids.org, 2011 Page 7
Learning Objective #1 NEED Estimates vary, but approximately 30% of 18-24 year olds are smokers (used in last 30 days). Dramatic rise in smoking through 1990s. Shift in marketing by BIG tobacco. Bars are one of few public places where smoking is not restricted by law. Drinking behavior and tobacco use/college culture I only smoke when I party nicotine delivery Smoke-free employers Page 8
Learning Objective #2 COMPREHESIVE STATEWIDE PROGRAM 1993- LA Legislature passes LA Clean Indoor Air Act 1998- The multi-state Master Settlement Agreement signed 2000- LA Legislature increases excise tax by $0.04 2003- The Louisiana Public Health Institute is awarded a three year grant to create a comprehensive tobacco control program 2003- The LA Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living (TFL) is created (via excise tax) Page 9
The Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living (TFL) envisions a healthier Louisiana through 100% tobacco-free living. Mission - to implement and evaluate comprehensive tobacco control initiatives that prevent and reduce tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke. Page 10
TFL Goals 1. To prevent initiation of tobacco use among young people 2. To eliminate nonsmokers exposure to secondhand smoke 3. To promote quitting tobacco among adults and young people 4. To identify and eliminate tobacco-related health disparities 5. To facilitate effective coordination of all tobacco prevention and control initiatives throughout Louisiana Page 11
TFL s Community and Statewide Interventions Community Advocacy Grants Communities of Color Network Regional Coordinators Regional Coalitions Defy Youth Initiative Tobacco-Free College Initiative (LTFCI) State and Local Policy and Advocacy Tobacco Prevention and Control Page 12
LTFCI engages students, faculty and staff at Louisiana universities in an effort to make campuses 100% tobacco-free. supports colleges/universities that are actively involved in policy change. is active on 12 campuses across the state; 11 four-year institutions and 1 technical college. Page 13
LTFCI s student-led campaign
Required Activities 1-4 1. Membership in the Louisiana Tobacco-Free College Initiative (LTFCI) 2. Engage 18-24 year olds enrolled in LA institutions of higher education tobacco prevention and control advocacy (Fresh Campus) 3. Recruitment and participation in the Fresh Campus Student Leadership Series 4. Support the Statewide Tobacco Prevention and Control Movement Page 15
Tobacco Industry Monitoring Page 16
Optional Activities Participate in professional development related to tobacco prevention and control Serve as facilitator to the tobacco subcommittee meetings Page 17
Monitoring and Evaluation Submit quarterly reports that detail compliance with the required and optional activities. Reports submitted online Evaluations are also conducted for all trainings and meetings Page 18
Learning Objective #3 EFFECTIVE POLICY CHANGE Before you begin Determine the climate on your campus about tobacco/smokefree policies. Create a taskforce. Page 19
Phase 1 Awareness Step-by-step Plan Phase 2 Policy Step-by-step Plan Phase 3 Implementation/Enforcement A Proposed Approach Step-bystep Plan Page 20
Learning Objective #4 STATUS Current trend American Non-Smokers Rights Foundation American Lung Association BACCHUS award for college campuses Page 21
Questions? Page 22
100% Smoke-Free/Tobacco-Free Campuses ANRF, 2005-2011 BACK
Past Month Cigarette Use among Persons Aged 12 or Older, by Age: 2009 SAMHSA, National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2009 Back
PHASE I Awareness (Step-by-step Plan) Step 1: Assessment (collect data)* Assess attitudes, perceptions, knowledge of tobacco use, SHS exposure, litter, and policy Obtain/collect data on tobacco use, SHS exposure, and litter Identify key informants/leaders Step 2: Planning Establish goals/objectives Create timeline Recruit people to help How will you handle cessation? Develop strategies Step 3: Implementation Complete tasks set in Step 2 Evaluate along the way (process evaluation) *If you determine your campus is ready for a policy, then you may decide to go directly to PHASE II or combine PHASES I & II. Step 4: Evaluation (identify changes) Evaluate changes in attitudes, perceptions, and knowledge BACK Page 25
*If you determine your campus is ready for a policy, then you may decide to go directly to PHASE II or combine PHASES I & II. BACK Page 26
Strategies Develop a comprehensive campaign: to educate about tobacco use/non-use, SHS exposure, cessation, tobacco industry marketing tactics, environmental impact, smoke-free employers, smoke-free versus tobacco-free, laboratory schools, etc. to generate campus support (via petitions, forums, social networking, etc.) to encourage strong supporters to join with talking points and consistent messaging BACK Page 27
PHASE II Policy Development (Step-by-step Plan) Step 1: Assessment (rather than knee jerk approach ) How does policy get passed on your campus (channels)? Who are the decision-makers? What is your campus culture? Who can help pass policy? Assess attitudes, perceptions, knowledge about tobacco policy and SHS exposure, if needed. Step 2: Develop the policy proposal and policy plan Type of policy? How to enforce? Timeline (when will policy be implemented?) Talking points (rationale) Recruit people who can help (in addition to Taskforce) Step 3: Pass the policy Have everyone on board, if possible. Be prepared for opposition/push-back Educate entire community about new policy (strategies may vary depending on when policy goes into effect) Provide cessation information and/or services GET READY FOR IMPLEMENTATION! BACK Page 28
Types of Enforcement Self-enforcement Police (warnings? fines?) Student Affairs (students Code of Conduct)/Human Resources (faculty/staff) Other? Or Combination Establish a complaint procedure BACK Page 29
PHASE III Implementation/Enforcement (Step-by-step Plan) Step 1: Signage Determine locations Frame messages in positive way Step 2: Education Must have a well-planned communication campaign Strategies for informing about policy and enforcement Step 3: Enforcement (MOST CHALLENGING) Must follow through with what is written in the policy; otherwise you might be taking steps backward Step 4: Evaluation Effectiveness of enforcement (compliance) Changes in use, SHS exposure, and littering BACK Page 30
Strategies Focus on positive interventions. Develop a communication plan that involves key administrators, faculty, staff, student leaders, and the community. Include policy in student handbooks, in vendor contracts, and on the college Web site. Remove all ashtrays and butt receptacles (but be prepared for consequences). Create policy reminder cards with contact info Promote the campus as tobacco-free in college marketing materials. Include in your communications and on policy cards BACK smoking cessation resources. Source: TobaccoFree Oregon, A Guide for College Leaders, 2008 Page 31
Types of Campus Policies Footage Policy Designated Smoking Areas 100% Smoke-free Policy 100% Tobacco-free Policy Need to have a conversation about smoke-free versus tobacco-free BACK Page 32
Baillie, Callaghan, & Smith. (2011). Findings: Student behaviors can be directly influenced by their perceived inconsistencies of enforcement. I think people follow the rules in the beginning, but once they find out that other people are getting away with it, it gets pretty hard. They kind of pay less attention to the rules because there is little consequence to what they are doing. (female student, smoker) Students are influenced instead by what they see, hear, and experience on campus and are aware of the gap between what is said and what is done. In the winter time people who smoke, smoke right in front of the door next to the sign that says No Smoking Here, and the security people just sit there and watch them and don t do anything. (male student, non-smoker) Page 33
Erroneous assumptions by administration that 1) smoking students will comply with the directives of peer enforcers and 2) that nonsmoking students will refuse to tolerate smokers and secondhand smoke on campus. It s a bad job going around telling people. People are really offended when you try to tell them (they can t smoke there). It s like, I m outside, I m away from a door, what s the issue? And it s like, Well, actually you have to move across the street and it s like screw you. (male student, nonsmoker) He s smoking and you re walking through it. But you don t know that person, he s not going to apologize to you and you re not going to give him a hard time. It s like, Whatever. (male student, nonsmoker) BACK Page 34
Resources Sawdey, Lindsay, & Novotny. (2011). Smoke-free college campuses: No ifs, ands or toxic butts. Tobacco Control. Doi: 10.1136/tc.2010.040139 Baillie, Callaghan, & Smith. (2011). Canadian campus smoking policies: Investigating the gap between intent and outcome from a student perspective. Journal of American College Health. Vol. 59, No. 4, pages 260-265. Smokefree Oregon - www.tobaccofreecollege.org Ozarks Technical Community College - http://www.otc.edu/tobaccofree/centerofexcellence.php The American Lung Association Tobacco Technical Assistance Consortium form Emory University The American Cancer Society (manual for going smoke-free) The Tobacco Technical Assistance Consortium (TTAC) National Center for Tobacco Policy www.tobaccofreenow.org www.tobaccofreeu.org California Youth Advocacy Network (CYAN) www.cyanonline.org American Legacy Foundation: www.legacyforhealth.org Americans for Nonsmokers Rights: www.no-smoke.org Attack: www.attacktobacco.org Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids: www.tobaccofreekids.org Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: www.cdc.gov/tobacco Page 35