Tobacco-Free Campuses Topic of March 8 Conference

WHITE PLAINS, NY (03/05/2012)(readMedia)-- WHAT: Westchester Regional Conference on the Establishment of Tobacco-Free College Campuses sponsored by Westchester Community College, American Cancer Society, American Lung Association in New York and POW'R Against Tobacco.

The program will begin with a 2 p.m. news conference featuring Westchester County Health Commissioner, Dr. Sherlita Amler, who will address the U.S. Surgeon General Report "Preventing Tobacco Use among Youth and Young Adults" being released on the morning of March 8. Program panelists, representatives from the college, the American Lung Association and the New York State Tobacco Control Program will also speak at the news conference.

WHO:

Westchester Community College Professor Sheldon Malev, Chairman of the President's Advisory Committee on Tobacco Free Campus Policy at Westchester Community College

Dr. Sherlita Amler, Commissioner of Health Westchester County

Featured Speaker: TY PATTERSON, Director of the National Center for Tobacco Policy. Nationally acclaimed expert on transition to "Tobacco-Free" College Campuses.

WHEN: Thursday, March 8 from 2pm until 5 pm.

WHERE: The "Classroom Building" Lecture Hall: Room C-200, Westchester Community College, 75 Grasslands Road, Valhalla, NY 10595

WHY: Colleges and universities have a responsibility to provide safe spaces in which their students can learn and live. This should include an environment free of tobacco smoke and advertising that encourages young adults to use tobacco products. Westchester Community College is proud to have the first totally "tobacco-free" campus in Westchester, and has undertaken a leadership role among other colleges in this respect. Representatives from other colleges and institutions, as well as the general public and media are invited to attend this conference.

RSVP: Maureen Kenney – mkenney@alany.org by March 7th

About Westchester Community College:

The scope of Westchester Community College goes well beyond that of a typical community college. In addition to providing outstanding educational resources as the largest educational institution in the county, it also serves as a base for the county's cultural and intellectual interests. The college also plays a leadership role regarding health and environmental awareness. In addition to being the first Westchester college to ban tobacco products, the institution recently opened the $40 million Gateway Center, the first county-owned "green" building. Meanwhile, faculty members are incorporating environmental topics in a wide variety of classes, thanks in part to a grant from Con Edison.

About the American Cancer Society:

The American Cancer Society combines an unyielding passion with nearly a century of experience to save lives and end suffering from cancer. As a global grassroots force of more than three million volunteers, we fight for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. We save lives by helping people stay well by preventing cancer or detecting it early; helping people get well by being there for them during and after a cancer diagnosis; by finding cures through investment in groundbreaking discovery; and by fighting back by rallying lawmakers to pass laws to defeat cancer and by rallying communities worldwide to join the fight. As the nation's largest non-governmental investor in cancer research, contributing more than $3.4 billion, we turn what we know about cancer into what we do. As a result, more than 11 million people in America who have had cancer and countless more who have avoided it will be celebrating birthdays this year. To learn more about us or to get help, call us any time, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.

About the American Lung Association in New York:

Now in its second century, the American Lung Association in New York is the leading statewide organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease. With your generous support, the Lung Association is "Fighting for Air" through research, education and advocacy. For more information about the Lung Association, a Better Business Bureau Accredited Charity Seal Holder, or to support our work, call 1-800-LUNG-USA (1-800-586-4872) or visit www.alany.org.

About POW'R Against Tobacco:

POW'R Against Tobacco is a community partnership coalition made up of organizations and private citizens who live or work in Putnam County NY, Orange County NY, Westchester County NY and Rockland County NY. Dedicated to reducing the risk of cancer, heart disease and other tobacco related illnesses, POW'R Against Tobacco works to lower the prevalence of tobacco use, advertising, sponsorship and promotion through education, media and advocacy.