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33 Historically Black Colleges and Universities Pledge to Establish Tobacco-Free Campuses

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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.

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 1577 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.

ā€œFor decades, the tobacco industry has targeted minority communities, particularly African Americans, with intense advertising and promotional efforts,ā€ said Dr. Regina Benjamin, former U.S. Surgeon General. ā€œAs 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.ā€

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.

ā€œWorking with HBCUs, we can reach young adults at risk of starting to smoke cigarettes and alternative tobacco products such as little cigars and cigarillos,ā€ said Robin Koval, CEO and President of Truth Initiative. ā€œHBCUs 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.ā€

ā€œShaw University is proud to be a part of this initiative and to host our fellow HBCUs for the launch,ā€ said Dr. Tashni-Ann Dubroy, President, Shaw University. ā€œWe look forward to collaborating with other HBCUs to end tobacco use on our campuses and protect our community from tobacco-related illness and disease.ā€

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 33 campuses are:

Alcorn State University ā€“ Alcorn, Mississippi

Arkansas Baptist College ā€“ Little Rock, Arkansas

Benedict College ā€“ Columbia, South Carolina

Bluefield State ā€“ Bluefield, West Virginia

Bowie State University ā€“ Bowie, Maryland

Cheyney University ā€“ Cheyney, Pennsylvania

Coahoma Community College ā€“ Clarksdale, Mississippi

Fisk University ā€“ Nashville, Tennessee

Florida A&M University ā€“ Tallahassee, Florida

Florida Memorial University ā€“ Miami Gardens, Florida

Hinds Community College ā€“ Utica, Mississippi

Howard University ā€“ Washington, D.C.

Jackson State University ā€“ Jackson, Mississippi

Jarvis Christian College ā€“ Hawkins, Texas

Lincoln University ā€“ Lincoln University, Pennsylvania

Meharry Medical College ā€“ Nashville, Tennessee

Mississippi Valley State University ā€“ Itta Bena, Mississippi

Morris College ā€“ Sumter, South Carolina

Norfolk State University ā€“ Norfolk, Virginia

North Carolina Central University ā€“ Durham, North Carolina

North Carolina A&T University ā€“ Greensboro, North Carolina

Prairie View A&M University ā€“ Prairie View, Texas

Rust College ā€“ Holly Springs, Mississippi

Southwestern Christian College ā€“ Terrell, Texas

Spelman College ā€“ Atlanta, Georgia

Shaw University ā€“ Raleigh, North Carolina

St. Augustineā€™s University ā€“ Raleigh, North Carolina

Shorter College ā€“ North Little Rock, Arkansas

Talladega College ā€“ Talladega, Alabama.

Tennessee State University ā€“ Nashville, Tennessee

Texas College ā€“ Tyler, Texas

University of Maryland ā€“ Eastern Shore ā€“ Princess Anne, Maryland

University of the District of Columbia ā€“ Washington, D.C.

Several national partners are collaborating with Truth Initiative to support the HBCUs including: African American Tobacco Control Leadership Council; Americans for Nonsmokers Rights Foundation; Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids; Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Tobacco-Free College Campus Initiative; National African American Tobacco Prevention Network; The Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco Free Living; Tobacco Control Network and the Tobacco Related Disease Research Program.

For additional information about the Tobacco-Free HBCU Initiative, visitĀ www.truthinitiative.org.

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