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DCSC makes healthful decision to ban smoking

Officials representing Indiana Tobacco Prevention Cessation (ITPC) applauds the recent decision by the Delphi Community School Corporation to establish a "smoke free campus" beginning in August.

With the move, both of the school corporations in Carroll County are totally smoke free. In a unanimous decision, the DCSC board voted to restrict all smoking on school grounds and at all sports activities.

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.

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 daily smokers annually. But, efforts such as those in Delphi are having an impact.

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

Katie Sneegas, ITPC executive director