The Ohio State University’s Tobacco-Free Policy Earns National Recognition

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will recognize The Ohio State University for implementing a campus-wide tobacco-free policy. The Tobacco-Free College Campus Initiative (TFCCI) Silver award from HHS highlights Ohio State’s comprehensive policy that prohibits smoking and the use of tobacco in or on all university owned, operated or leased property including vehicles.

What: Capt. Jim Lando, U.S. Public Health Service at HHS, presents the Tobacco-Free College Campus Silver award to The Ohio State University Tobacco Free Implementation Committee

When: 1 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 22

Where: The Ohio State University, Newton Hall lobby
1585 Neil Ave.

In order to qualify for the TFCCI award and carry the title of tobacco-free, colleges must adhere to a number of criteria including but not limited to, not having tobacco-related advertising or sponsorship permitted on campus property and the prevention of sale of any tobacco product or paraphernalia produced by the university for distribution on campus.

Effective January 1, 2014, the use of all types of tobacco products is prohibited in all university buildings and on all university-owned properties, including parking lots, garages, and all outside areas. Read the full policy at tobaccofree.osu.edu.

As highlighted in the 2014 Surgeon General's Report, cigarette smoking alone is responsible for more deaths than HIV/AIDS, alcohol, motor vehicle crashes, homicide, suicide, illegal drugs and fires - COMBINED. Surgeon General's Reports also show that 99 percent of smokers begin smoking and using other forms of tobacco by age 26, making college and university campuses a critical target for tobacco use prevention and cessation efforts.

The TFCCI Challenge's ultimate goal is to have all colleges and universities be 100 percent smoke- or tobacco-free by 2017.