This Tobacco-Free Colleges Initiative served 18-24 year olds attending college in Beaufort, Chowan, Dare, Edgecombe, Halifax, Hertford, Martin, Pamlico and Pasquotank counties. Funding for the project was provided by a NC Health & Wellness Trust Fund grant (2006). Statewide efforts to address tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) have been primarily focused on youth ages 12-17 and adults. However, studies at the time showed that 18-24 year olds represented the only group in which smoking rates were rising rather than falling.
College students are especially vulnerable to tobacco addiction. Nationally, 29% of college students were current smokers. In North Carolina, 27.8% of 18-24 year olds smoked and of those, 58% had tried to quit in the last year. Colleges and universities across North Carolina were challenged with helping the three-quarters majority to remain non-smokers, and encourage current smokers to quit.
The Northeastern Regional grant provided services and support to the following institutions:
- Beaufort Community College*
- Chowan University
- College of the Albemarle**
- Edgecombe Community College
- Halifax Community College
- Martin Community College
- Pamlico Community College
- Roanoke-Chowan Community College**
* Indicates smoking not allowed within 50 ft away from buildings
**Indicates total smoke/tobacco-free policy
Project goals included:
- Preventing the initiation of tobacco use
- Reducing exposure to environmental smoke
- Providing information on treatment options for those wishing to quit through cessation techniques including Quitline NC
- Reduce health disparities attributable to tobacco use
- Advance the adoption of Tobacco-Free Campus policies