Green Goes Purple: Tobacco Free Campus

smoke-free cartoonThe activities and festivities scheduled in the Palm Court on Wednesday, Feb. 19, will help make Stetson’s recognition of the national Through With Chew campaign the teachable moment that is intended. Chewing tobacco is not a safe alternative to cigarettes. It’s deadly.

Smokeless tobacco is a major problem. Learn more about why, find out how to detect its use, and read up on the research.

All Hatters are encouraged to wear PURPLE on Wednesday, Feb. 19, for Stetson University’s kick-off event, in celebration and observance of the university’s new tobacco-free/smoke-free policy that will go into effect in August 2014, on all Stetson’s residential campuses. On Wednesday, the Tobacco Peer Educators will have information about the Through With Chew program in the Palm Court with fun games and sunflower seeds. Then on Thursday, Feb. 20, guest speaker Dave Ross will speak on his experience with tobacco, and speaking with a larynx box. Ross will speak at 5:30 p.m., in Allen Hall. (“The Tobacco-Free Office cartoon is provided by the Through With the Chew website.)

“Through With Chew,” as well as other tobacco free programs this semester are to educate the Stetson community as a whole of the effects of tobacco, leading up to our big goal of becoming a tobacco free campus,” said Terrance Harris, assistant director of Wellness and Recreation at Stetson. “We want to ensure that resources are available to help those who want to quit.”

Purple is the official color representing all cancers. Help raise awareness and unity on Stetson’s campus by wearing purple on Wednesday!

Honoring Dr. T. Wayne Bailey for making public places in Florida smoke free: Faculty, staff and students are invited to attend the Volusia County Commission meeting Thursday, Feb. 20, at 9 a.m. when Dr. T. Wayne Bailey will be recognized by the Florida Department of Health in Volusia County, as a Public Hero, on the occasion of the 125th anniversary of the State Department of Health. A political science professor at Stetson for 50 years, Bailey will be honored for his tireless advocacy to promote and protect public health, particularly to help make Florida smoke free.

For 125 years the Florida Department of Health has been committed to helping create healthier living environments and a better quality of life within the state of Florida.

A member of the American Lung Association for over 40 years, Bailey received the Will Ross Award from the ALA in 2004. He was recognized nationally as one of the country’s top innovative and influential leaders in the health care community when the Discovery Health Channel presented its inaugural Discovery Health Channel Medical Honors to him. Bailey was the only political scientist, among medical doctors and scientists, to be recognized for his tireless efforts toward enacting “Smoke Free Florida,” which became law and a constitutional amendment in the state, making Florida’s public areas officially smoke free. He also received honorary membership in the Florida Thoracic Society and was named Volusia County’s Person of the Year in 2011.

The public is invited to the brief presentation, scheduled at 9 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 20, at the Frank T. Bruno, Jr. County Council Chambers, Room 204, Thomas C. Kelly Administration Center, 123 West Indiana Avenue, DeLand, Volusia County, Florida.

FACULTY/STAFF/STUDENTS 

If you are a member of the university’s faculty, students or staff, please contact Terrance Harris at [email protected] for details regarding cessation or tobacco free resources.