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Indiana Tobacco Prevention Cessation Applauds Franklin Schools' Decision to Create Smoke-Free Campus

INDIANAPOLIS – Officials representing Indiana Tobacco Prevention Cessation today applauded the recent decision by the Franklin (Ind.) Community Schools to establish a "smoke free campus" beginning immediately.

ITPC Executive Director Karla Sneegas says with the move, four of the six school corporations in Johnson County will be totally smoke free.

In a unanimous decision, the Board voted to restrict all smoking on school grounds, as well as in district-owned vehicles. "The decision by the Board of Trustees represents a tremendous educational opportunity, and it sends the message that the health and well-being of the students, faculty and staff is of the utmost importance," says Sneegas.

Sneegas points out that tobacco use is the single most preventable cause of death and disease in the United States.

In Indiana, more than 15,000 young people become new smokers annually.

But, efforts such as those in Franklin are having an impact. According to Sneegas, between 2000 and 2004, high school smoking has fallen 32 percent and by 20 percent in the middle schools.

ITPC was created to oversee funding from Indiana’s share of the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement from the tobacco industry. The Board oversees the state’s tobacco prevention campaign, which includes media components, special youth features, enforcement, cessation initiatives and community programs. For more information log onto www.itpc.in.gov .