| On May 31, 2006, DMHSA Director J. Peter Roberto officially signed DMHSA's tobacco-free policy. Under this policy, all DMHSA facilities and vehicles will be tobacco-free effective 01 July. DMHSA wants to set the good example for our community by promoting a healthy, tobacco-free environment for its consumers, staff, and visitors. |
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| Ms. Amber Thornton, Executive Vice-President and Ms. Laura Hamasaka, Assistant Vice-President of Program Development and Technical Assistance of the American Legacy Foundation awarded Governor Felix Camacho and the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse with Certificates of Recognition for their leadership in tobacco control on Guam. The American Legacy Foundation is a national, independent public health foundation supports programs addressing the health effects of tobacco use through grants, technical training and assistance, youth activism, strategic partnerships, counter-marketing and grass roots marketing campaigns, public relations, research and community outreach to populations disproportionately affected by the toll of tobacco. The Foundation decided to make the awards because of the significant progress achieved thus far on Guam to reduce tobacco consumption and to promote cessation. These awards come one year after the receipt of the World No Tobacco Day Award from the World Health Organization. |
For more information contact Cathleen Moore-Linn at 735-2944
During their meeting last night, the Board of Regents approved a resolution to implement a total ban on the use of tobacco products on the University of Guam campus as of August 1, 2006.
"Guam has, per capita, the highest adult smoking rates in the nation, higher than tobacco producing states," said Dr. Helen Whippy, Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs and Student Services. "With the establishment of the Cancer Research Center at the University of Guam and its focus on cancer disparity issues among Pacific Islanders, research on smoking cessation, and the fact that 60 percent of all Guam cancer deaths are tobacco related, the University must take a stand for the health and wellness of our students and employees."
The movement to ban smoking on campus began with the Faculty Union and went through a series of reviews by the Student Government Association, the Faculty Senate, and the Staff Council before being presented to the Board of Regents.
Although smoking is currently prohibited inside University buildings, including the Field House, as per Public Law 21-139, this resolution extends the ban to all University grounds including parking lots, courtyards, atriums, Dean's Circle, and off-campus facilities.
"Shortly, we will launch an awareness campaign on campus so that our students, employees, and visitors to campus understand that smoking and the use of tobacco and tobacco-based products will not be permitted anywhere on University grounds. Smoking cessation programs will also be offered to the University Community," said Dr. Whippy. "We look forward to a tobacco free UOG." |
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| - Find out what happened in 2005. |
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