In the fight to curb commercial tobacco use in the U.S., college campuses have emerged as a critical battleground.

That’s because virtually all smokers — 99 percent — start smoking before turning 26 years old.  Community colleges and minority-serving academic institutions, including trial colleges, are especially important because they tend to serve students who are at grater risk for commercial tobacco use, including low-income and first-generation students.

Over the past two years, Truth Initiative has awarded funding to 135 historically black colleges and universities and community colleges to advocate for, adopt and implement a 100 percent smoke- or commercial tobacco-free policy.  These institutions have joined the growing movement of more than 1900 smoke-free colleges, including seven tribal colleges.

To keep the momentum going, Truth Initiative is launching its new commercial Tobacco-Free College Program, which offers 17-month grants of up to $20,000 to community colleges and minority-serving institutions, including tribal colleges, to adopt a 100 percent commercial tobacco-free college policy.  Truth Initiative recognizes and honors the fact that tobacco may have a sacred cultural place in American Indian life.  Many Native American tribes use tobacco for spiritual, ceremonial, and traditional healing purposes.  Truth Initiative, therefor, distinguishes traditional, ceremonial, and spiritual use of tobacco from its commercial use.  Truth Initiative promotes commercial tobacco control efforts that do not target traditional tobacco.

Grantees will also receive guidance through webinars, learning communities, and one-on-one consultations throughout the grant period.

Please visit the Truth Initiative website to view the grant guidelines, application information, and registration for an informational webinar on September 14 at https://truthinitiative.org/get-involved

The deadline for applications is October 11.

For more information, please contact Kristen Tertzakian at ktertzakian@truthinitiative.org or 202-454-5788.