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Health Department Recognizes Delta State as Mississippi’s First Tobacco-Free University

By September 7, 2010General

Roy Hart, director of the Office of Tobacco Control at the Mississippi State Department of Health, presents an award recognizing Delta State University as a tobacco-free campus to Delta State Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Wayne Blansett and Delta State President Dr. John M. Hilpert.

The Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) congratulates Delta State University for becoming Mississippi’s first four-year, state-funded university to implement a campus-wide tobacco-free policy. Delta State’s new tobacco-free policy, effective September 7, 2010, prohibits the use of all tobacco products on the university’s campus.

A congratulatory ceremony was held the atrium of DSU’s Kent Wyatt Hall. Speakers include DSU President John M. Hilpert, Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Wayne Blansett and Roy Hart, director of the MSDH Office of Tobacco Control. 

“Delta State University is to be commended for taking this step to protect the health of students, faculty and staff,” said Roy Hart, director of the Office of Tobacco Control at MSDH. “There is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke. Everyone deserves to breathe smokefree air.”

Each year in Mississippi, smoking accounts for an estimated 5,250 premature deaths, including 550 deaths among nonsmokers as a result of secondhand smoke.

“The decision to become a tobacco-free campus aligns perfectly with the goal to improve the health of our community,” said Delta State University President John M. Hilpert. "We are making this change gradually, with input from the campus community on how best to put our new policy into practice."

Delta State’s new tobacco-free policy will affect all grounds and buildings on the campus.