By rdnewsNOW staff

Burman University lauded for work on tobacco reduction, cannabis readiness

May 14, 2018 | 4:07 PM

Two Alberta post-secondary institutions are leading the country with innovative health policies to address the use of tobacco and cannabis on their campuses, according to a western Canadian anti-tobacco group.

Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) says Calgary’s Bow Valley College and Burman University in Lacombe have both implemented comprehensive policy measures to reduce tobacco use among staff and students and to prepare for cannabis legalization on their campuses.

ASH gave both institutions an “A” grade on their report card as well as a national leadership award at a news conference held on Monday in Calgary.

“Bow Valley College and Burman University have emerged as national leaders in their efforts to reduce tobacco use and to prepare for cannabis legalization” said Les Hagen, ASH executive director. “Both institutions have created completely smoke-free campuses that include any substance that is smoked or vaped on their properties. Both institutions have also prohibited tobacco industry funding and investments.”

Hagen said there are no other post-secondary institutions in Canada that have taken such a broad approach to tobacco and cannabis as these two schools.

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“Burman University prioritizes the overall health of our students, faculty, and staff on our campus. We are proud to have policies in place that thoroughly reflect our priorities,” said Dr. Loren Agrey, Burman University President.

ASH says their report cards rank the tobacco policies of every publicly-funded post-secondary institution in Alberta with formal tobacco or smoking policies. They are also said to provide an analysis of smoking restrictions, enforcement, signage, smoking cessation programs for students and staff, and tobacco industry funding and investments. The grading system reflects published best-practices for post-secondary tobacco policies.

The report card grades ranged from “D” to “A” depending on the depth of the institution’s policies. No institution with a formal tobacco or smoking policy received an “F”.

RDC received a “B” for its organization, “C” in the category of smoke-free environment, “F” for tobacco industry engagement, “B” for enforcement and “B” for tobacco education and cessation, making for a final grade of “C” for its efforts in preparing for cannabis legalization.

Olds College received an “A” for organization, “B” for smoke-free environment, “F” for tobacco industry engagement, “C” for enforcement and “F” for tobacco education and cessation, making for a final grade of “C”.

by rdnewsNOW staff

Burman University lauded for work on tobacco reduction, cannabis readiness

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