The latest findings have been consolidated in a report titled “Big Tobacco on Campus: Ending the Addiction”. To determine the extent of tobacco use and policies on college and university campuses, the American Lung Association scrutinized published research, surveys and tobacco industry documents.
The culprit behind the dangerous trend is believed to be the excessive tobacco industry marketing on college campuses. A total of 119 colleges were surveyed and students at 109 of them reported being a witness to tobacco promotions in on-campus events.
The study findings reveal that in 2005, more than $1 million per day were spent by the tobacco industry on sponsoring events and freebies aimed at college students.
The report says, “Tobacco companies exploit vulnerability among young smokers by sponsoring promotions in bars, nightclubs, and other venues to encourage smoking as a social norm, moving them from an 'experimenter' to a 'mature' smoker.”
Bernadette A. Toomey, American Lung Association President and CEO said in a written statement that as far as college students are concerned, the industry’s return on investment is staggering. He added, “Every college student in America has a target on their back as far as the tobacco industry is concerned.”
Toomey is of the view that colleges should provide students with a healthy and safe environment where they can grow and prosper. They should be refrained from using deadly tobacco products.
In order to completely wipe-off exposure to second hand smoke in public places and work places by 2010, the American Lung Association has called upon the higher education community to join the Smokefree Air 2010 Challenge.
The key policies and initiatives of this campaign are:
• Ban use of tobacco at all indoor and outdoor facilities, private offices, residence halls and dormitories.
• Stop the sale and advertising of tobacco products on campus and in publications, properties and events under the control of colleges.
• Educate students and faculty members about the ill-effects of using tobacco products.
• Refuse all research and sponsorship funds from the tobacco industry.
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