Press Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 17, 2021 CONTACT: Chelsea Wuth, 517-241-2112, [email protected] MDHHS releases “Tobacco-Free Report Card” for Michigan colleges and universities LANSING, Mich. –The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Tobacco Section released the “Tobacco-Free Report Card: Michigan Colleges and Universities,” which reports on the current state of tobacco-free and smoke-free campus policies in Michigan. “MDHHS applauds the schools with 100% tobacco-free campuses and encourages all campuses to go 100% tobacco-free,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, MDHHS chief medical executive. “Tobacco use is the number one cause of preventable death and disability in Michigan, and at least 99% of cigarette smokers start before the age of 26. In Michigan, adult e-cigarette use is highest among young adults. Tobacco-free policies on college and university campuses are an effective strategy to prevent young adults from using tobacco and help current users quit.” Currently, one in three campuses have a 100% tobacco-free campus policy. The report also includes a list of Michigan colleges and universities, and the grade or score they received as a result of their current tobacco policy with the detailed scoring methodology explained. The report card includes information on tobacco use, secondhand smoke exposure, tobacco-free smoke policies and information on how to receive technical assistance to improve your smoke-free policies. “We are encouraging Michigan colleges and universities to use this report card as a tool to improve the health of their students, faculty, and staff. These policies aim to change social norms, prevent initiation, decrease secondhand smoke and aerosol, and encourage quitting,” says Amanda Gallaher, author of the Tobacco-Free Report Card. The MDHHS Tobacco Section offers training and technical assistance to support tobacco-free and smoke-free campus policies. To request a training or other technical assistance, contact the MDHHS Tobacco Section at 517-335-8376 and visit Michigan.gov/Tobacco to learn more about tobacco prevention and cessation resources in Michigan. There are grant opportunities available to colleges that are not currently 100% tobacco-free to support the adoption and implementation of tobacco-free policies. For residents in need of assistance in quitting tobacco, the Michigan Tobacco Quitline – 800-QUIT-NOW (800-784-8669) – is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information about the Quitline, visit Michigan.gov/Tobacco. |
“Tobacco-Free Report Card” for Michigan colleges and universities
