WHAT'S WRONG WITH TOBACCO SPONSORSHIP?

When a post-secondary institution accepts money from a tobacco corporation serious ethical problems arise. Firstly, the money that tobacco companies use to fund these events comes from every smoker addicted to cigarettes. Consequently, by accepting money from tobacco companies, post-secondary institutions are condoning a product that causes over 40 000 deaths per year in Canada.

Secondly, we must think about what the consequences of allowing tobacco marketing are. When the U of L Students' Union held a concert sponsored by Benson and Hedges the SU President (Oct. 2003 - Calgary Herald) was quoted as saying, "nobody was forced to buy cigarettes and nobody was forced to smoke cigarettes." However, when beautiful models sell cigarettes to attendees the message is clear - smoking is cool, sexy, and normal. These techniques are effective because after all, individuals aged 18-24 are the only demographic to have increased smoking rates. Furthermore, they are the most direct link to under aged children, a fact tobacco corporations are well aware of. Universities and colleges must take an active role in promoting non-smoking because after all, these students are the future of our country. If they are addicted to cigarettes what does that mean for Canada?

As tobacco corporations try to expand their market in an increasingly hostile environment they are looking for new ways to influence young smokers. By sponsoring fun events at universities they are creating a positive brand image that promotes smoking as normal. Universities must follow the lead of Federal, Provincial and Municipal government and promote non-smoking in their students. Sponsorship by other industries can allow them to have event that foster a positive campus environment, but without the ethical dilemmas.

WHAT CHANGES DO WE NEED?

1. Inform all members of the campus community by widely distributing the campus tobacco/smoking policy.
2. Offer prevention and education initiatives that support non-use and address the risks of tobacco use.
3. Offer programs and services that include practical steps to quit using tobacco products.
4. Prohibit the campus-controlled advertising, sale, or free sampling of tobacco products on campus. This includes the advertising done by brands such as: swisher cigarillos, dutch master, backwood cigars, phillie blunt and hav a tampa.
5. Prohibit the sponsorship of campus events by tobacco-promoting organizations.
6. Prohibit smoking in all public areas of the campus.
7. Prohibit smoking in all residence halls, dormitory facilities, and other campusowned and sanctioned housing.
8. Clearly identify all non-smoking areas with signs.
9. Discourage the use of smokeless/spit tobacco and prohibit its use in all indoor facilities.
10. Support and encourage frequent and consistent enforcement of all tobacco/smokingrelated policies, rules and regulations.