Building a Tobacco Free Campus Policy That Lasts

I will provide an overview of the steps involved to pass a tobacco free policy on a post-secondary campus. Using the experiences of the American Lung Association, MN participants will be guided through the policy process used on more than 15 campuses in Minnesota that adopted comprehensive tobacco use policies. Utilizing interactive technology, participants will be able to identify the steps of advocating for and implementing a sustainable policy, from starting the discussion to developing an implementation and enforcement plan. Participants will be provided with useful tools for assessing tobacco problems on campus; strategies for developing partnerships with students, faculty, and staff; innovative approaches to educate campus communities on tobacco issues; and tactics for getting support for the adoption and implementation of tobacco free policies. The model shared in this session builds capacity within the campus to pass and sustain the policy beyond funding. This model supports community and health organizations development of successful relationships within campus networks to advocate for policy change. After policies are adopted, post secondary campuses and their partners will have the tools to continue the work in implementing the policy, ensuring compliance, supporting tobacco users in quitting, and educating students on emerging tobacco issues until tobacco is no longer the “norm” on campus. This session will apply to campus staff, community organizations and public health staff who wish to be engaged in tobacco free college work.