Policy Report Cards
The American College Health Association adopted a “No Tobacco Use” policy and encourages colleges and universities to be diligent in their efforts to achieve a 100% indoor and outdoor campus-wide tobacco-free environment (Position Statement on Tobacco on College and University Campuses, November 2011).
SPARK works to change the tobacco and nicotine use culture in Wisconsin’s higher education institutions by providing knowledge, skills, and tools to create local change for healthier campuses.
This year, SPARK is piloting a policy report card program which reviews and assesses current tobacco or nicotine use policies at 46 public and private institutions in the state of Wisconsin. The purpose of these report cards is to educate and encourage college decision makers to adopt comprehensive smoke, commercial tobacco, and nicotine-free policies that promote healthier living for all members of their campus community.
Background
Report Cards are often used to convey topics that are impacting lung health. Here are some examples of these report cards:
CYAN’s
College Policy Report Cards
ALA’s
State of Tobacco Control Report Cards
ALA’s
State of the Air
Our
Process
School Identification
Schools were identified for evaluation based on consultation of past SPARK participation records, as well as recommendation with local and state tobacco control experts.
Policy evaluation
All schools, regardless of funding status or type of institution were evaluated on the same criteria. Scores are graded on a Pass/Satisfactory/Fail basis, in which a comprehensive policy receives a pass, Satisfactory policy addresses at least half of the criteria, and fails do not meet half of the policy criteria.