September 16, 2004

SmokeFree Purdue launches campaign with petition

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The SmokeFree Purdue Student Coalition will launch its 2004-05 campaign, called the Bottom Line, with a smoke-free workplace petition drive on Friday, Sept. 24.

Tables where supporters may sign petitions will be located throughout the West Lafayette campus. In addition, the coalition will distribute posters around campus with messages, such as "79% of Purdue students would help a friend quit smoking."

SmokeFree Purdue is a project funded by Smokefree Indiana and coordinated by the Purdue Student Health Center's Wellness Office. Over the past two years, SmokeFree Purdue has focused on education and awareness regarding the dangers of smoking and secondhand smoke.

"Last year SmokeFree Purdue led the way in efforts to enact policies on Purdue's campus to create a smoke-free perimeter around building entrances," said Crystal Jungels, student coordinator who a junior is majoring in nutrition, health and fitness. "We plan to continue encouraging the establishment of such policies. Because so many students are impacted by secondhand smoke, this year we also will encourage the Lafayette-West Lafayette city councils to pass an ordinance restricting smoking in the workplace."

CONTACT: Jungels (765) 494-9355; Nancy Maylath, director, Student Wellness Office, Purdue Student Health Center, (765) 494-9559

Writer: Jeanne Norberg (765) 494-2084, (765) 449-4986 (home), jnorberg@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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