GREAT FALLS – Great Falls College MSU has adopted a 100 percent tobacco free campus policy, effective July 1. The policy follows a grant from Truth Initiative®, the national public health organization responsible for the national truth® smoking prevention campaign. The grant was awarded to support Great Falls College MSU’s (GFC MSU) efforts to advocate for, adopt and implement a 100 percent tobacco free campus policy. GFC MSU joins a nationwide movement that addresses smoking and tobacco use at all college campuses throughout the U.S.
A 100 percent tobacco-free policy prohibits the use of any tobacco product, such as cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, hookah, smokeless tobacco and other smokeless products on campus. It also includes electronic cigarettes. The new policy applies to anyone on campus and on any campus property.
“It’s important for us to consider the health and well-being of each of our students,” said Dr. Susan Wolff, CEO/Dean of GFC MSU. “Our new tobacco free campus policy will ensure that the students, staff and faculty at Great Falls College MSU have fresh air and a healthy learning environment.”
“Through this work, not only are we creating a healthier environment, but we are using our power, influence and social media to accomplish policy change that impacts our college and the communities it serves. We are the heart of the institution and being involved in the policy process is important,” said Anna Marie Garcia, student.
GFC MSU’s efforts are part of a growing trend to clean the air on campuses. Currently, more than 2,100 higher education institutions in the U.S. have gone smoke- or tobacco-free. The policy was created by GFC MSU and was a student led initiative with the help of the Truth Initiative grant.
Today, 38 million Americans ages 18 and above still smoke — including 17.1% in Montana in 2017 — and tobacco use remains the number one cause of preventable death in this country. Research also shows that there are dire health consequences for nonsmokers, too. Secondhand smoke exposure causes cancer and cardiovascular disease among other secondhand smoke diseases, which are responsible for more than 41,000 deaths among nonsmoking adults in the U.S.
“The tobacco free campus policy is an important step to take on campus to protect the lives of our students, faculty and staff,” said Joshua Archey, Student Activities Coordinator. “We’re excited for it to begin.”
Review the policy: 601.3 Tobacco Use
For more information, visit gfcmsu.edu
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Phone: 406-771-4314
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