SUS first tobacco-free system in La.

Friday Southern University becamefirst Historically Black College to become a 100 percent tabacco free campus with the approval of this initiative by the SUS Board of Supervisors.
​”We are very happy and very pleased. We have a lot of work before us. This is going to benefit everybody. I am extremely proud and happy the policy passed,” Frankie Poland, Regional Coordinator Communities of Color network at SU Ag Center said.
​The tobacco free campus policy for the system will be effective on January 2, 2012. Smoking and use of any tobacco products will be prohibited in buildings, facilities, dormitories, or on any campus grounds in accordance with the policy.
​According to Ronald Mason, SU System President in SU press release,  “Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death and disease in this country. As the only HBCU System in the nation, we strive to provide a safe and healthy environment for our students, faculty, and staff to learn and work…adopting a tobacco-free policy is an example of this commitment.”
​Linda Early Brown, Director of Communities of Color Network at SU Ag center; stated the work involved in preparation for the passage of the policy in recent press release from the SU system.
“We have worked with the individual Southern University campuses to provide them with additional resources, technical assistance and sample policies. We are pleased that they are now part of the group of colleges and universities that have 100% tobacco-free campuses. The Southern University System is the first college system and only HBCU in Louisiana to go 100% Tobacco-Free. We urge other colleges and systems to pave the way and create healthy learning and working environments,” Brown said.
​Poland acknowledged that the Southern University system is making history and has the chance to create best practices and serve as an example to other HBCUs in adoption and implementation of this policy.
​”This is a movement that is gaining popularity. We want Southern University to take the lead as it relates to HBCUs. This is the first step in that direction,” Poland said.
​​Darren Mire, Southern University Board of Supervisors chairman made a statement in a recent SU press release saying this policy will help the environment for students, faculty, staff, and visitors.
​”As an institution of higher learning we are committed to providing both a healthy and safe environment for our students, faculty, staff, and visitors. We applaud these efforts and want to model best practice policies regarding tobacco,” Mire said.
​The SU Ag Center and Communities of Color Network will be asking for input in implementation and enforcement of the new policy.
​”We have a policy that is outlined and we plan to expound on. We plan to educate the students, faculty, and staff. Enforcement is a concern and we will look for input from students, faculty, and staff on how it will be implemented. We will be advising everyone in the process,” Poland said.
​She explained the process as being incremental and it will affect anyone and everyone who sets foot on any campus in the Southern University system.
​”We are going to be 100 percent tobacco free not just smoke free. It’s not just about cigars and cigarettes but, also smokeless tobacco. This policy will be extensive and affect students, faculty, employees, visitors, and vendors system wide,” Poland said.
​The next step in the transition will include gaining input from the campus and community for implementation and enforcement.
​”We will start in steps with incremental things. We are forming workgroups to gain input because it will be a system wide effort. It will be a cooperative and we will try to make the transition as easy as it can be,” Poland said.