CREATING A SMOKE-FREE CAMPUS A WEBINAR for Paper Clip Communications July 14, 2009 Ty Patterson Director of The Center of Excellence for Tobacco-Free Campus Policy Ozarks Technical Community College Springfield Missouri

Why Smoke Free? EPA classifies secondhand smoke as a Group A carcinogen along with chemicals such as asbestos and radon Surgeon Generals Report declared there is “No safe level of exposure to second hand smoke.”

Why Tobacco-Free? The use of smokeless tobacco is an issue on your campus as evidenced by damage to the environment and use in high profile activities such as baseball. The tobacco industry is going smokeless and you do not want to have to address smokeless tobacco use later. If your policy is based on improving health, use of smokeless tobacco is more addictive than smoking!

Setting A Trend OTC was one of the first higher education institutions in the US to become completely smoke(tobacco)-free in There are now over 130 higher education institutions whose campuses are 100% tobacco-free! A list of tobacco-free institutions go to

The OTC Story Ozarks Technical Community College (OTC) established 1990 First semester enrollment Fall ,100 Anticipated enrollment Fall ,000 Number of employees 1,100 New buildings constructed on main campus 1996 to present President requested consideration of 100% tobacco-free campus 1997 Trustees voted to make OTC Tobacco-Free in 2003 December 1999 Organized effort to educate about policy January 2000 to present! Policy implemented August 1, 2003 Enforcement plan adopted October 2004 Center of Excellence for Tobacco-Free Campus Policy established 2004 Celebration of 5 th Anniversary 100% tobacco-free August 2008

Why Adopt 100% Smoke –Free Policies? Easier to enforce a campus wide prohibition than perimeter restrictions or designated tobacco use areas Removes barrier for those who are adversely effected by exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) Prepares students for entry/advancement in tobacco-free work environments Eliminates smoking on campus for minors Emphasizes importance of mutual respect in the campus culture Reduces pressure to smoke through social norming

Keys To Success Know why the policy should be adopted Identify champion(s) Decide on organizational structure Allow time for teaching/learning Involve students, faculty, staff, community Be respectful to those who disagree Never give up

Signage (Inside)

Signage(Outside)

Internal Communication Establish timeline and theme Top down messaging Web page Faculty In-Service Employment Application Interview Process Resource Room with High Visibility Focus groups Faculty, Staff, Student Governance groups Student Orientation Surveys Signage

External Communication Advisory Committee Alumni Catalog and all campus publications Press releases Web page Focus groups Surveys Signage Facilities rental/use agreements Vendors Continuing Education Letters to editor

Keys to Enforcement Understanding why policy was adopted Having realistic expectations Realizing enforcement is everyone’s responsibility Teaching non-compliance is not acceptable Treating everyone with respect Approach someone using tobacco on campus Listening

Annual Workshop and Consultation Services The Center of Excellence for Tobacco-Free Campus Policy hosts annual workshops and provides consultation services to help institutions develop and implement tobacco-free policy. The following institutions are among many to credit The Center of Excellence for helping them become tobacco-free. Stanly College, Albemarle North Carolina De Anza College, Cupertino California Ivy Tech Community College, Lafayette Indiana St Charles Community College, St Peters Missouri University of Arkansas, Fayetteville Arkansas University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond Oklahoma

Contact Ty Patterson Director The Center of Excellence for Tobacco-Free Campus Policy Ozarks Technical Community College 1001 E Chestnut Expressway Springfield MO Questions

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