The Truth Initiative has launched their Tobacco/Vape-Free College grant for community colleges and minority serving institutions to advocate for and adopt 100% tobacco/vape-free policies.  The Truth Initiative welcomes and greatly appreciates any promotional opportunities such as announcements or webinars or in e-newsletters.

Grantees of the Tobacco/Vape-Free College Program receive guidance through webinars, an in-person training and one-on-one consultations throughout the grant period.  Since 2015, the Tobacco/Vape-Free College Program has protected more than 1.2 million students, faculty and staff by provided funding to 205 colleges, universities, and college systems.  In fact, The Truth Initiative has funded two tribal colleges – Iḷisaġvik College and Blackfeet Community College – and several Native American-serving institutions.  The Truth Initiative would love to provide this opportunity for more eligible colleges.  Truth Initiative recognizes and honors the fact that tobacco may have a sacred cultural place in tribal communities, therefor, Truth Initiative distinguishes traditional, ceremonial, and spiritual use of tobacco from its commercial use.  Truth Initiative promotes tobacco control efforts that do not target traditional tobacco.

The deadline to apply is Thursday, January 20, 2022, at 5 p.m. ET.

Colleges that have smoke- or tobacco-free policies that do not include e-cigarettes may still apply.  To combat the vaping epidemic, Truth Initiative is offering grants of up to $10,000 to minority-serving institutions and community colleges to strengthen their 100% smoke or tobacco-free policies by adding e-cigarettes.

With 98% of smokers starting before age 26, college campuses are critical to preventing young adults from starting tobacco use, aiding current smokers in quitting and reducing exposure to secondhand smoke for all.  The dangers of tobacco use are especially dire now, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has named smoking a risk factor for developing severe illness from COVID-19.  Additionally, research shows that young people who reported ever using e-cigarettes were up to five times more likely to test positive for COVID-19.

For more information, including the grant guidelines, link to the online application, and registration for informational webinars on October 19 and November 4, please visit truthinitiative.org/tobacco-vape-free-college-program.

For more information, please contact Kristen Tertzakian, Direct or of Community Engagement and Grants at ktertzakian@truthinitiative.org.