ASH Australia media release                                       February 6, 2009

Universities and colleges urged to break all tobacco links, extend smokefree areas

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Australian universities and TAFE colleges have been urged to break all links with the tobacco industry and extend smoke-free areas, in a new policy guide launched today.

Following a survey of university policies, Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) Australia has written to all universities and TAFE area directorates, enclosing its Guide for a Tobacco-free Campus* and urging them to adopt its recommendations, including:

  • Tobacco-free workplaces and crowded outdoor areas, with designated outdoor smoking areas;
  • Banning all on-campus tobacco sales, promotion and sponsorships;
  • Ending all forms of direct or indirect financial arrangements with tobacco companies; and
  • Offering on-campus quit smoking help for staff and students.

The ASH survey of Australian universities** found that although there were some good policies, most needed improvement.

Says ASH Board member Simon Chapman, Professor of Public Health at Sydney University:  
“It’s important that our universities and colleges should go beyond merely making indoor working areas smoke-free to meet minimum legal requirements.

“All crowded areas, like building entrances and bar terraces, should be smoke-free to protect staff, students and visitors.

“Student associations and campus administration shouldn’t be in the business of profiting from the sale and promotion of tobacco products which will kill one in two long-term users.

“And tertiary institutions should not allow themselves to be used as a recruiting ground by unethical companies offering careers in death and disease.

“The tobacco industry has a long history of deceptive and misleading conduct antithetical to the core values of tertiary institutions. Tobacco companies for years have promoted their products to young people, and have funded university research to create doubt about medical evidence and to delay tobacco-free laws.

“22 of Australia’s 39 universities already have policies precluding staff from accepting direct research support from tobacco companies. The remaining universities should reconsider their position.”

ASH is also contributing to a worldwide campaign to promote tobacco-free education.

 

* Guide for a Tobacco-free Campus at  www.ashaust.org.au/pdfs/TFcampusGuideAus09.pdf

** 2007survey of  Australian university tobacco policies at  www.ashaust.org.au/lv4/UniSurvey07.doc

 

Comment:               
Prof Simon Chapman, Sydney University                       m.  0438-340-304
Assoc Prof Matthew Peters, ASH Chairman                   m.  0407-499-440

Media info:       Stafford Sanders                 ph. (02) 9334-1823;  m. 0412-070-194

 

 

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