Reports from Virginia colleges and universities on efforts to curb smoking

NORFOLK, Va. – For many young adults, college seems like the cool thing to do. The use of e-cigarettes, vaping, is increasing among young adults.

“I see a lot of vaping on campus, definitely more than cigarettes and smoking,” said Reigna Forrest, a student at Old Dominion University in Norfolk.

Forrest doesn’t smoke, but she knows many students who do. For many young people, she says, vaping is more acceptable than smoking cigarettes.

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“It smells good, it tastes good, you don’t even really think about it, and it comes in different flavors,” Forrest explains.

According to a survey According to the National Institutes of Health, 24% of college students, about one in four, say they have used e-cigarettes. Recent studies show a direct link between e-cigarette use in college and lower scores on learning, memory and critical thinking tests.

“It’s not technically a safer option when it comes to vaping over smoking cigarettes,” Forrest said.

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That’s a message students are hearing more often, thanks to the efforts of ODU’s Office of Student health care. Part of Steven Gunzelman’s job as a health educator is to convince students that e-cigarettes are not safe.

“They are not a safer option when it comes to smoking,” Gunzelman warned. “They are still introducing dangerous chemicals into your system,” he added.

How are Virginia colleges and universities doing when it comes to reducing smoking and tobacco use on campus? The Virginia Department of Health released a report rating each school on its tobacco use policies. Click here for an interactive map of numbers and policies for every college or university in Virginia.

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Here is a list of local schools and their grades in the 2024 report card:

Eastern Virginia Medical School – A
Regent University – A
Hampton University – C
Norfolk State University-C
Old Dominion University – C
Virginia Wesleyan University – C
Christopher Newport University – D
Willem & Maria – D

When it comes to helping students kick the habit, health educators try to be realistic.

“Make sure you don’t use it too hard, knowing that you can cut back, maybe promoting those kinds of healthier strategies on how to cope with that,” Gunzelman explained.

His office of medical professionals gets help from wellness ambassadors. ODU has a team of students who serve as examples of healthier behavior on campus. Students, like Reigna Forrest.

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“I do my best as a student to provide and correct the information in a loving way, like, hey, that’s actually kind of dangerous,” Forrest said. “Or these are some of the side effects that can come from that.”

The idea is that a student is more likely to follow the example of a fellow student rather than an authority figure. Peer pressure is used well.

“I think it’s very important. It has a big impact when colleagues talk to their colleagues,” Forrest added.

News 3 reached out to each local school mentioned in the state report for comment. Below you will find the responses we received.

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Regent University

“We are thrilled to have received an “A” rating for our 100% tobacco-free campus,” said Dr. William L. Hathaway, Regent University Provost. “Discouraging tobacco use and reducing secondhand exposure helps create a culture of good health on our campus and improves the health habits of our students, faculty, staff and visitors. We believe it is part of our mission to be good stewards of all that God has given us, including our physical health. Therefore, it is imperative that we treat ourselves and others well.”

Christopher Newport University

“We appreciate the Department of Health’s insights and will carefully review the findings to determine whether any updates need to be made to our wellness initiatives.” — Jim Hanchett, director of communications, Christopher Newport University

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Willem & Maria

“William & Mary has developed a comprehensive smoking policy through the Environmental Health & Safety Office that provides university employees and students a smoke-free environment in which to work and learn, while also protecting lives and property where smoking could pose a safety or fire hazard.

This policy implements the Virginia Clean Indoor Air Act to ban smoking in public university facilities and state vehicles and impose restrictions on outdoor smoking.

Although the University’s policy does not include information about smoking cessation—one of the Virginia Department of Health’s concerns listed in the Eliminate Tobacco Use Virginia Initiative Scorecard—this information is regularly shared or shared through William & Mary’s Office of Health Promotion (wm.edu).”