Press Release

ATSU to Become First University in Missouri to go Tobacco-free

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. (March 15, 2007) - Fitting with the wellness and prevention mission of the founding institution of osteopathic medicine in the nation, A.T. Still University in Kirksville will become the first Missouri university to have a tobacco-free campus. This new policy will affect indoor and outdoor areas of the ATSU campus, and include all tobacco products, including smokeless or "spit" tobacco.

ATSU President Jim McGovern, Ph.D., will officially enact the policy at a ceremony on ATSU's Kirksville campus (800 West Jefferson St.) at noon on Monday, March 19. Announcement of the policy was hailed in Kirksville by members of Breathe Easy and PASS (Peers Against Second-hand Smoke).

"It's the combination of these organizations working together with our healthcare facilities to create smoke-free environments that have positive health and economic benefits for Kirksville," said Erin Black, health promotion specialist for Peers Against Second-hand Smoke at Truman State University.

Both Breathe Easy and PASS were influential in pushing for the clean air ordinance for Kirksville that will be on the April 2007 ballot. A similar ordinance was enacted in early January 2007 in Columbia, Mo., due partly to the efforts of the Columbia-based PASS and CASE organization members.

"There are immediate and long-term health benefits when exposure to secondhand smoke is eliminated at the workplace," said Dr. Kevin Everett, Principal Investigator on the state-wide project, Campus-Community Alliances for Smoke-Free Environments (CASE). "The working teams of CASE in Columbia, Kirksville, and other sites are beginning to see the benefits of campus-community partnerships in addressing critical public health issues - such as reducing the costs to society of tobacco use."

While ATSU will be the first university to become a tobacco-free campus, there are several educational institutions in Missouri that are smoke-free, which typically does not allow smoking in any indoor public places or workplaces. Smoke-free campuses in Missouri include Northwest Missouri State University, Southwest Missouri State University and the University of Missouri-Columbia, Ozarks Technical Community College, St. Charles Community College and State Fair Community College.

In the United States, only New Jersey and Illinois have implemented 100 percent smoke-free laws that protect all co-eds and college staff from second-hand smoke in residence halls and dormitories.

"Strong smoke-free ordinances are the most effective way of protecting workers and the general public from the damaging effects of second-hand smoke," said Dean Andersen, Co-director of SAFE, Smoke-free Air For Everyone, based in Columbia, Mo. "Columbia's newly adopted Smoke-free workplace ordinance ensures a safe and healthy workplace for everyone and brings us in line with the 21 states and 512 communities representing over half of America's population that have already adopted strong smoke-free workplace ordinances."

Founded in 1892 as the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, ATSU's mission is to educate students to become competent healthcare professionals who continuously develop and demonstrate compassion, integrity, and ability, while advancing osteopathic principles and philosophy. The institution is committed to scholarly inquiry that anticipates and addresses society's healthcare needs. The University encourages its constituencies to become leaders in improving community health and wellness with a comprehensive appreciation of the interaction of body, mind, and spirit.

About PASS: PASS, which works in conjunction with the state-wide Campus-Community Alliances for Smoke-Free Environments (http://www.casemo.org), is a peer education program that promotes awareness of the dangers of second-hand smoke. PASS Peers work to decrease smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke in communities throughout Missouri through education, advocacy, and community involvement.

About Breathe Easy: Breathe Easy Missouri promotes the rights of all citizens to breathe clean, smoke-free air and live free from addiction to tobacco products. The Kirksville coalition is a group of community health activists educating, encouraging, advocating, and supporting smoke-free environments and policies for a healthier community.

About CASE: CASE is a group of leading researchers and experts on the health effects of secondhand smoke. CASE has expertise in addictions, health promotion, psychology, public health, strategic communication and project evaluation. The CASE team of professionals, in partnership with already existing statewide organizations, is working to improve the health of Missouri communities, complement existing tobacco control efforts, and build an infrastructure that can sustain successful programs for years to come. CASE is funded by a grant from the Missouri Foundation for Health. For more information, visit the CASE website: http://www.casemo.org.

For more information contact: Erin Black, Health Promotion Specialist, blackek@health.missouri.edu.