Tobacco free campus initiative grows

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Monday, November 14, 2016
VIDEO: Tobacco free campus initiative grows
20 more college campuses are going smoke-free thanks to a multi-million dollar grant from the American Cancer Society and the CVS Health Foundation.

20 more college campuses are going smoke-free thanks to a multi-million dollar grant from the American Cancer Society and the CVS Health Foundation.

The University of Pennsylvania has already been working towards becoming the first Ivy League school to go 100-percent tobacco free.

99-percent of smokers start by age 26 and statistics show 1-million college students will die from tobacco-related causes.

"If we could stop kids from smoking before they even start or make it more difficult for them to smoke at school, we can help save lives and end the pain and suffering from cancer," Gary Reedy, CEO of the American Cancer Society, said.

The initiative plans to award 125 grants to more universities over the next three years.

Opponents of a smoking ban say it infringes on students' rights.