College Seeks Anti-Tobacco Submissions

01/16/2012 

There are no magic words that can make tobacco disappear.

But SUNY Cortland’s Tobacco Advisory Committee hopes to come close.

In preparation for 2013, when SUNY Cortland officially becomes a tobacco-free campus, the committee is asking students, faculty, staff and alumni to submit suggestions for an anti-tobacco slogan or logo. The winning entry will be used College-wide to encourage people to forego cigarettes, cigars and chewing tobacco.

The contest’s grand prize is a classic Schwinn bicycle. Other top entries will earn gift certificates for health-related services such as professional massages. Submissions for the contest are due by Friday, Feb. 17.

“The slogan or logo should promote a completely tobacco-free campus,” said Catherine Smith, the College’s health educator in its Health Promotion Office. “That means all forms of tobacco, including chewing tobacco and snuff, not solely smoking.”

Smith said the logo or slogan will be used on future messages and posters. The contest is a continuation of a search that began last semester when the committee first publicized the competition. The original deadline was pushed back to Feb. 17 to give more people from all walks of campus life an opportunity to participate.

“We’re looking for something simple, catchy and recognizable by students, faculty, staff and visitors to campus,” Smith said.

Submissions should be sent to Smith at her email address.

All submissions must adhere to the College’s guidelines for department and program logos, which is available through the SUNY Cortland website.  

In addition to efforts to increase awareness of tobacco’s health hazards and the upcoming campus ban on tobacco products, SUNY Cortland will offer a variety of tools and programs to help smokers and other tobacco users quit.

Freshstart, an innovative approach developed by the American Cancer Society that lets people design their own cessation plan, is kicking off this semester. Beginning this month, two Freshstart groups will be offered to all SUNY Cortland employees and students. If interested, send a message to Marie Blanden.

As part of SUNY Cortland’s ongoing effort to become one of the healthiest higher education institutions in the United States, President Erik J. Bitterbaum and his cabinet this summer approved a proposal to transform the College into a tobacco-free community starting Jan. 1, 2013. In November, the American Cancer Society recognized the College as one of its “Partners in Excellence” for the tobacco-free decision.

Tobacco use accounts for at least 30 percent of all cancer deaths in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society. Smoking is by far the leading risk factor for lung cancer, and lung cancer is the most common — and most preventable — type of cancer for both men and women.