University of New England recognized for addressing tobacco use on Campus

Cat Martins, UNE benefits and disability specialist, accepts the award
Cat Martins, UNE benefits and disability specialist, accepts the award

The MaineHealth Center for Tobacco Independence’s Breathe Easy Coalition of Maine held an awards ceremony on Tuesday, March 28, 2017 to celebrate the efforts of Maine colleges and universities to address smoking and tobacco use on their campuses. The event featured the announcement of the 2017 Maine Tobacco-Free College Network’s Gold Star Standards of Excellence recognition program award winners.

UNE was among ten Maine schools and three individual champions recognized for their achievements in advancing their campus smoke and tobacco-free policies as well as promoting tobacco-free lifestyles for their communities.

UNE was recognized for meeting the gold level in the 2017 Gold Star Standards of Excellence Program for their efforts to prohibit smoke and tobacco use on campus.  All Maine colleges and universities were encouraged to apply for recognition; institutions that met at least six of ten Gold Star Standards were recognized with a plaque. Award levels are based on best practice criteria such as a smoke and tobacco-free campus policy, tobacco treatment information availability for students, faculty and staff, prohibiting tobacco product distribution on campus, and divestment of all tobacco investments. 

“The majority of adult smokers began before the age of 26; campus policies support a healthy, smoke-free social norm for students and the entire campus community.  We applaud the efforts of our Gold Star Colleges and Universities to proactively address smoking and tobacco use,” said Sarah Mayberry of the MaineHealth Center for Tobacco Independence.

The awards ceremony provided an opportunity for schools to come together share to successes and challenges of their efforts to create smoke and tobacco-free campus environments and promote tobacco-free lifestyles.  While many acknowledged challenges faced when first adopting new campus policies and initiatives, all shared that addressing tobacco use on campus is an important health and environmental strategy for their campus.

For more information about the Maine Tobacco-Free College Network Gold Star Standards of Excellence recognition program, please visit MaineTobaccoFreeCollegeNetwork.org/GSSE.
The Maine Tobacco-Free College Network (MTFCN) is dedicated to providing Maine’s institutions of higher education with the information and resources needed to make all colleges & universities smoke and tobacco-free.  MTFCN is an initiative of the Breathe Easy Coalition of Maine, a program at the MaineHealth Center for Tobacco Independence. The program is funded by Maine Prevention Services.

To apply, visit www.une.edu/admissions

About the University of New England

The University of New England is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of flexible, accredited online degrees. In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.