Washington, DC (BlackNews.com) — This week, Truth Initiative and Shaw University hosted 33 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to kick-off the Tobacco-Free HBCU Campus Initiative. Led by Truth Initiative and former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Regina Benjamin, the initiative provides grants to HBCUs to assist them in their efforts to establish comprehensive tobacco-free policies on their campuses.
The number of smoke- and tobacco-free colleges has more than tripled since 2010, when 446 campuses had adopted smoke- or tobacco-free policies. Today that number stands at 1,577 campuses, yet the majority of the 105 federally-recognized HBCUs in the U.S. do not have comprehensive smoke- or tobacco-free policies to protect their students and faculty from the dangers of tobacco use and second-hand smoke.
”For decades, the tobacco industry has targeted minority communities, particularly African Americans, with intense advertising and promotional efforts,” said Dr. Regina Benjamin, former U.S. Surgeon General. ”As a result of this investment, African Americans suffer the greatest burden of tobacco-related mortality of any ethnic or racial group in the U.S.”
This first-of-its-kind national effort works with HBCUs to change the knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about tobacco use on their campuses. Tobacco is the number one cause of preventable death in the U.S. Each year, approximately 47,000 African Americans die from smoking-related disease. While the overall use of cigarettes among youth in the U.S. has declined, smoking among ethnic minorities is still prevalent.
Working with HBCUs, we can reach young adults at risk of starting to smoke cigarettes and alternative tobacco products such as little cigars and cigarillos, said Robin Koval, CEO and President of Truth Initiative. HBCUs are home to students and faculty who deserve to enjoy healthy tobacco-free environments. We are thrilled to be working with 33 different campuses around the country to make that happen.
Thirty-three campuses will receive funds and assistance as part of a first wave of grantees to participate in the initiative. Students, faculty and staff at each school will participate in a task force charged with assessing tobacco use on their campus. Each school will also develop a public-education campaign to support establishment of a comprehensive tobacco-free policy on that campus. The 4 Texas HBCUs are Prairie View A&M University – Prairie View, Texas, Southwestern Christian College – Terrell, Texas, Jarvis Christian College – Hawkins, Texas and Texas College Tyler, Texas
The remaining campuses are: Alcorn State University – Alcorn, Mississippi, Arkansas Baptist College – Little Rock, Arkansas, Benedict College – Columbia, South Carolina, Bluefield State – Bluefield, West Virginia, Bowie State University – Bowie, Maryland, Cheyney University – Cheyney, Pennsylvania, Coahoma Community College – Clarksdale, Mississippi, Fisk University -Nashville, Tennessee, Florida A&M University – Tallahassee, Florida, Florida Memorial University – Miami Gardens, Florida, Hinds Community College – Utica, Mississippi, Howard University – Washington, D.C., Jackson State University – Jackson, Mississippi, Lincoln University – Lincoln University, Pennsylvania, Meharry Medical College – Nashville, Tennessee, Mississippi Valley State University – Itta Bena, Mississippi, Morris College – Sumter, South Carolina, Norfolk State University -Norfolk, Virginia, North Carolina Central University – Durham, North Carolina, North Carolina A&T University – Greensboro, North Carolina, Texas, Rust College – Holly Springs, Mississippi, Spelman College – Atlanta, Georgia, Shaw University – Raleigh, North Carolina, St. Augustine University – Raleigh, North Carolina, Shorter College – North Little Rock, Arkansas, Talladega College – Talladega, Alabama, Tennessee State University -Nashville, Tennessee, Texas College – Tyler, Texas, University of Maryland – Eastern Shore – Princess Anne, Maryland and University of the District of Columbia – Washington, D.C.
For additional information about the Tobacco-Free HBCU Initiative, visit www.truthinitiative.org.
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