CSUSM to Create 100% Smoke- and Tobacco-Free Campus
By Whitney Frasier
California State University San Marcos was awarded a $20,000 grant as part of the American Cancer Society and the CVS Health Foundation’s Tobacco-Free Generation Campus Initiative (TFGCI), a $3.6 million multiyear program intended to accelerate and expand the adoption and implementation of 100 percent smoke- and tobacco-free campus.
Over the next three years, colleges and universities throughout the U.S. will be awarded TFGCI grants to support their efforts to advocate for, adopt and implement a 100 percent smoke- and tobacco-free campus policy. Campuses will also receive technical assistance and resources to support their efforts with education, communications, cessation and evaluation. CSUSM is one of the first 20 colleges and universities to receive a TFGCI grant.
“We’re honored to be one of the first universities to receive this pioneering grant,” said Kim Pulvers, associate professor of psychology. “Our overall project goal is to prepare our campus for successful implementation of a 100 percent smoke- and tobacco-free campus program effective Fall 2017.
The plan to identify cessation resources for students, faculty and staff is underway. Evaluation activities are in progress, including a recent campus-wide survey, which established a baseline of tobacco-related behaviors, exposure and attitudes.
“We will be focusing our attention on educating the campus community about the upcoming 100 percent smoke- and tobacco-free campus program. We will be planning monthly educational events and promoting the program through a variety of channels.”
TFGCI grants are intended to address a critical, unmet need by helping colleges and universities achieve 100 percent smoke- and tobacco-free campus policies. The U.S. Department of Education reports there are approximately 4,700 institutions of higher education in the country. According to the Americans for Nonsmokers Rights Foundation, only 1,427 college campuses are 100 percent smoke- and tobacco-free. That reflects major progress over earlier years, but much remains to be done.
“Through support from the CVS Health Foundation, we are excited to advance the efforts of many dedicated students, faculty and staff to make their campuses 100 percent smoke- and tobacco-free using proven strategies that will also reduce tobacco use among students,” said Cliff Douglas, vice president for tobacco control and director of the American Cancer Society's Center for Tobacco Control. “To be successful in creating a tobacco-free generation, it is important that we prevent and eliminate lethal and addictive tobacco use among America’s college students.”
This TFCGI grant announcement coincides this week with the American Cancer Society Great American Smokeout, an intervention effort to encourage smokers to quit for a day, quit for good or make a plan to quit.
CSUSM will also be hosting an on-campus event during U-Hour on Thursday, Nov. 17 featuring X Games athletes, educational tables and free food to encourage the campus community to learn more about the changes and new program. This event is not open to the public. Any media wishing to attend should contact Whitney Frasier at 760-566-4213.
Event Information:
What: Change is in the Air
When: Thursday, Nov. 17 from noon to 1 p.m.
Where: Kellogg Plaza
Directions and parking: CSUSM is located at 333 South Twin Oaks Valley Road in San Marcos. For more information or directions to the campus, visit http://www.csusm.edu/guide. Visitors may purchase a daily or timed permit in any general parking lot utilizing the daily permit machines.
Building on an innovative 25-year history, California State University San Marcos is a forward-focused institution, dedicated to preparing future leaders, building great communities and solving critical issues. Located on a 304-acre hillside overlooking the City of San Marcos, it is the only public four-year comprehensive university serving North San Diego, Southwest Riverside and South Orange Counties.
The University enrolls over 14,000 students. With approximately 2,000 employees, the institution is a Great College to Work For® (The Chronicle of Higher Education). As a recipient of the annual HEED Award since 2014—a national honor recognizing U.S. colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion—CSUSM is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment.
About The American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society is a global grassroots force of 2 million volunteers saving lives in every community. As the largest voluntary health organization, the Society's efforts have contributed to a 23 percent decline in cancer death rates in the U.S. since 1991, and a 50 percent drop in smoking rates. We're finding cures as the nation's largest private, not-for-profit investor in cancer research, ensuring people facing cancer have the help they need and continuing the fight for access to quality health care, lifesaving screenings and more. For more information, to get help, or to join the fight, call us anytime, day or night, at (800) 227-2345 or visit cancer.org.
About the CVS Health Foundation
The CVS Health Foundation is a private charitable organization created by CVS Health that works to build healthier communities, enabling people of all ages to lead healthy, productive lives. The Foundation provides strategic investments to nonprofit partners throughout the U.S. who help increase community-based access to health care for underserved populations, create innovative approaches to chronic disease management and provide tobacco cessation and youth prevention programming. We also invest in scholarship programs that open the pathways to careers in pharmacy to support the academic aspirations of the best and brightest talent in the industry. Our philanthropy also extends to supporting our colleagues’ spirit of volunteerism through Volunteer Challenge grants to nonprofits where they donate their time and fundraising efforts. To learn more about the CVS Health Foundation and its giving, visit www.cvshealth.com/social-responsibility.