Poll: 85% of Kentucky adults support tobacco-free schools

28% of schools are currently 100% tobacco-free

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (March 15, 2016) — Eighty-five percent of Kentucky adults are in favor of adopting policies for tobacco-free schools, according to the latest Kentucky Health Issues Poll (KHIP) by the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky and Cincinnati-based Interact for Health.

Currently in Kentucky, 28 percent of school districts have 100 percent tobacco-free school policies. These policies prohibit the use of tobacco by students, staff, parents or guests while on school grounds and at school-sponsored activities such as field trips and sporting events.

In 2015, 23 percent of Kentucky middle school children reported trying cigarettes and 28 percent of high school students said they currently used cigarettes, cigars, or smokeless tobacco.

“Poll findings show that support for the health of our children cuts across party lines,” said Susan Zepeda, president/CEO of the Foundation for a Health Kentucky. “A 100 percent tobacco-free campus policy reduces a young person’s exposure to second-hand smoke and allows adults to model tobacco-free lifestyles. Notably, Kentucky smokers understand this important issue. Eighty percent of current smokers favor tobacco-free school policies in their communities.”