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Tobacco Use Prevention & Cessation Program

Since 2001, Gannett has expanded efforts to create a living/learning environment that inhibits the onset and progression of tobacco use among students, and to engage students in a tobacco cessation program.

Early efforts were directed toward developing comprehensive support systems, education and resources for tobacco cessation; and to create a living/learning environment that inhibits the progression of tobacco use among students. Gannett works collaboratively with representatives of Campus Life, Environmental Health and Safety, Human Resources and the Wellness Program to promote changes in campus policies and practices to reduce tobacco use; and participates with the Tompkins County Tobacco Coalition (a coalition with the Tompkins County Health Department), and Team ACT, (a tobacco cessation center supported by the New York State Health Department).

Program goals and activities

1. Reduce the level of tobacco use among undergraduate students by expanding and institutionalizing tobacco-cessation services. The following medical services have been expanded or created for students, faculty, and staff:

  • clinical consultation with a Primary Care Provider
  • nurse consultation and referral to the NYS Quitline and/or NYS Smokers Quitsite
  • free Quit Kits available during medical visits or from our pharmacy
  • nicotine replacement therapies available for purchase from our pharmacy (a free, 2-week starter kit is also available to qualifying individuals) 
  • self-help materials from our Health Promotion staff
  • web links that offer tobacco information and ongoing cessation support

2. Cultivate a living/learning environment that inhibits tobacco use through changes in various campus policies and practices. University policies have a significant influence on shaping the campus environment and promoting the health and well being of students, faculty and staff. As social, educational, economic and cultural environments change, campus policies need to be reviewed to ensure that they adequately reflect the needs and interests of the campus community. The following policy changes have been made to date:

  • Cornell's Smoking Policy was revised in fall 2003 to prohibit smoking in any indoor facility, enclosed bus stops, and university-owned or controlled vehicles, as well as within 25 feet of the entrance to any university building. Other departmental policies and procedures also have changed to enhance the campus environment, including:
    • Undergraduate residence halls are smoke-free.
    • Tobacco products are no longer sold by university departments.

3. Reduce the onset of tobacco use, and promote cessation among occasional and regular smokers through a variety of prevention education strategies.

Evaluation of program efforts is ongoing through focus group discussions, student interviews and survey research.

Support for our efforts has been provided through grants from the Tompkins County Health Department, Aetna Student Health (administrator's of Cornell's Student Health Insurance Plan), the American Cancer Society's New York State College Alliance Against Tobacco, Rosewell Park’s Task Force for Tobacco-free Women and Girls, and the United Health Center's Team ACT.

Members of Gannett’s tobacco task group

  • Janis Talbot, Health Educator (Chair)
  • Lisa Cope, Marybeth Osborn, Lisa Stankus, Barb White (Nurse Practitioners)
  • Denise Brown, Bettie Fedrizzi, Dee Palumbo (Registered Nurses)