The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health is now a tobacco-free campus.
In launching the Tobacco-Free Campus Initiative in August, the school prohibits the use of any tobacco product—not just cigarettes—in all buildings, facilities, and vehicles. The initiative also forbids e-cigarettes and discourages the use of tobacco products on all campus grounds.
"As a school of public health, we are dedicated to promoting the well-being of the global community," says Michael J. Klag, dean of the school. "With the Tobacco-Free Campus Initiative, we are taking steps to promote our own health as well."
Tobacco is the leading cause of preventable deaths, responsible for about one in five deaths annually in the U.S.—more than HIV, illegal drug use, alcohol use, motor vehicle injury, suicide, and murder combined. It is estimated that 6 million youth alive today will eventually die prematurely from smoking.
Deterring the use of tobacco in all forms is crucial to protecting the health of the students and workforce of the JHSPH community, organizers of the initiative say. By keeping out all tobacco products, the school ensures that it doesn't unintentionally encourage or reinforce tobacco addiction among students, faculty, and staff.
As part of the effort, the school will promote the use of smoking cessation resources and services, which are included in student and employee health insurance plans.
