Friday, October 19

SU System Celebrates One-Year Milestone 100% Tobacco-free Policy: Leading the Way for Others to Follow


Baton Rouge, La - October marks a major achievement in the history of the Southern University System.  It was one year ago, October 28, 2011, that the SU System Board of Supervisors approved the proposal for Southern to become the first HBCU college system to achieve the status of 100% tobacco-free campus.  This proposal was presented by the Southern University Ag Center where Linda Early Brown serves as the director of the tobacco initiative - Communities of Color Network.

Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death and disease in the country and some 47,000 African Americans die each year due to its use. The CoC Network has been educating the African American community, statewide, for a number of years on this issue.  It was a logical next step to challenge the University to take the lead in helping to educate the future leaders of this country.  Through our ongoing efforts, the CoC Network is committed to providing educational programs that stress the need for a healthy environment.  The policy, in general, states that smoking and use of any tobacco products is prohibited in buildings, facilities, dormitories, or any other campus grounds or property owned or leased by the System.

Linda Early Brown states, “This policy will enable students, faculty, staff and the community to be able to live, work and learn in a healthy environment.  Brown, an SU graduate, states, “Southern University has historically set exemplary standards for others to follow and this policy is not an exception!”

Please direct any questions to Linda Early Brown, Director Communities of Color Network-SU Ag Center at 225-771-4456.
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Contact:
Bridget Udoh
(225) 771-5714

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