Once Montana State University had smoking lounges, professors smoked in class and U.S. Tobacco not only sponsored the annual college rodeo, but handed out free chewing tobacco samples to spectators at the Fieldhouse. Over the last generation, tobacco has been increasingly restricted, and on Wednesday, campus leaders on MSU’s University Council took a historic vote, unanimously endorsing the idea of making the Bozeman campus tobacco-free. [ ... Jump to full article >>

The Rockwood School District has become the first school district in St. Louis County to reach the “gold standard” of tobacco-free policies that are part of the county health department’s federally-financed anti-smoking effort. To obtain that standard, the district has to abide by 40 policies and practices that generally prohibit smoking on school property, enforce the ban on students, staff and visitors, point out smoking cess ... Jump to full article >>

High school students collected 1,087 cigarette butts in 45 minutes at Hunt Club Park Community Center, according to Vidal Anguiano, 18, a Zion-Benton High School student. Anguiano is one of 26 members of REALITY Illinois, a Lake County chapter of a statewide teen prevention program. Anguiano and his fellow club members met with Gurnee Park District commissioners Monday to try to persuade the board to institute a tobacco-free policy. “I’m ho ... Jump to full article >>

St. Cloud State University students approved a plan that could make their campus tobacco free by August 2012. The issue passed with 63 percent approving and 37 percent voting against the plan. The students voted Monday through Wednesday, and the results were announced today at a Student Government meeting. The approval of the tobacco-free campus plan essentially is a recommendation to President Earl H. Potter III, who has final say over whether ... Jump to full article >>

Herter 227 lecture hall was filled to the breaking point with occupants, as one student after another voiced their staunch opposition to the “Tobacco-Free UMass Amherst” policy. Regardless, the Faculty Senate has proven yet again its blatant disregard for the will of the student body, endorsing the policy with a vote of 14-to-7. Not one single student, smoker or non-smoker, spoke in favor of the policy. Generally, the University of Massachu ... Jump to full article >>

BOZEMAN, Mont. — Montana State University President Waded Cruzado says she wants to give school employees a chance to voice their opinions before deciding on whether to make the Bozeman campus tobacco free. Cruzado’s decision follows a vote by students on Wednesday who 61 to 39 percent recommended making MSU tobacco-free within two years. Cruzado tells the Bozeman Daily Chronicle that she has asked students to present more information ab ... Jump to full article >>

HELENA — University of Montana sophomore Bambi Erving says the state’s anti-tobacco programs not only convinced her to quit smoking but also helped turn her life around at age 15. Erving, of Plains, had left her family’s troubled home to move into a trailer house with other teenagers and young adults, where she said drug, alcohol and tobacco use was the norm. A high school counselor suggested that she get involved with reACT, a youth toba ... Jump to full article >>

The Carroll County Health Department is busy preparing to become a tobacco-free campus April 20. Director of Health Education Kim Spangler said the policy will ban smoke and smokeless tobacco use on health department property, including in personal vehicles. “It was very much past due that the Health Department go tobacco-free,” she said. Spangler is chairwoman of the committee that was charged with discussing the creation of a tobac ... Jump to full article >>

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (AP) – St. Mary’s Medical Center is planning to ban tobacco use starting this summer. WSAZ-TV reports that the Huntington hospital plans to go tobacco-free on June 27. Tobacco use already is prohibited inside hospital buildings. St. Mary’s says it will eliminate three outside designated smoking areas. St. Mary’s says the tobacco-free initiative is a way to show its commitment to healthy living. At least ... Jump to full article >>

Jane Jones, Muskogee Against Tobacco program coordinator, says that when discussing the impact of tobacco use, the focus often turns to its tragic health effects and loss of life. However, every business and citizen in Muskogee County also bears a financial burden. Tobacco-Free Oklahoma Week, which runs through Sunday, highlights these burdens. The Oklahoma State Department of Health reports that the average Oklahoma business loses $3,734 each y ... Jump to full article >>