# Number of Smoke- & Tobacco-Free College Campuses Rising Source: https://3rdmil.com/number_of_smoke-__tobacco-free_college_campuses_rising/ Last updated: 2026-05-13T15:33:51+00:00 Number of Smoke- & Tobacco-Free College Campuses Rising - 3rdmil - Blog [Skip to content](https://3rdmil.com/number_of_smoke-__tobacco-free_college_campuses_rising/#content) ![](https://3rdmil.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/bg_big_alt.svg) ![](https://3rdmil.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/shutterstock24.png) ## Number of Smoke- & Tobacco-Free College Campuses Rising As of July 2025, there are 2,581 smoke-free college campuses in the United States, and as of early 2026, 2,172 are 100% tobacco-free, meaning they currently prohibit the use of tobacco in any form – including cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cigars, etc. Though the dangers of using tobacco are generally well known in American society today, the statistics of tobacco use (especially among youth) are still alarming. There are more than **480,000 deaths each year** in the U.S. caused by cigarette use and exposure to secondhand smoke, and more than **16 million Americans** suffer from a disease caused by smoking. In [fact](http://tobaccofreecampus.org/tobaccofacts), “**tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death in the country**” and “smoking **kills** more Americans than alcohol, car crashes, AIDS-related causes, fires, heroin, cocaine, homicide and suicide ***combined***.” Tobacco has also been proven to have a harmful effect on the environment. Of the more than **172 toxic substances** tobacco smoke contains, three are regulated outdoor air pollutants, 33 are hazardous air pollutants, 47 are chemicals restricted as hazardous waste and 67 are known human or animal carcinogens, according to the Tobacco-Free College Campus Initiative. Honing in on campus policies regarding tobacco use and eliminating these risks on college campuses nationwide is certainly a good place to start. Another benefit of tobacco-free policies is that they help to reduce the cost for grounds and building maintenance on college campuses. There’s a growing social norm supporting smoke-free college campuses because the academic community is engaging in new policies for campus health and wellbeing, says [Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights](http://no-smoke.org/goingsmokefree.php?id=447). They also emphasize that the number of campuses going smoke- and tobacco-free increased significantly since 2009, largely due to the fact that the majority of Americans actually don’t smoke and [nearly half](http://www.no-smoke.org/goingsmokefree.php?id=519) (49.1%) of the U.S. population is protected by a 100% smokefree Workplace, Restaurant, and Bar law. It’s essential to note that most local and state laws don’t include college campuses. Campuses that adopt smoke- or tobacco-free policies are helping to protect students and employees from secondhand smoke. Though policies can’t be entirely regulated or enforced, colleges can initiate a change in campus climate surrounding social norms on tobacco use. [3rd Millennium Classrooms ](https://3rdmil.com/) offers [**Nicotine 101**](https://3rdmil.com/nicotine-101/), an online course that provides the necessary tools for students to make healthy choices about tobacco use. It aims to address the behaviors of those who use nicotine and to provide valuable information on long-term use and adverse health effects. Presented in a motivational interviewing style, [**Nicotine 101**](https://3rdmil.com/nicotine-101/) empowers students to make their own decisions about nicotine use and is valuable in aiding college campuses in enforcing new smoke- and tobacco-free policies. ## Popular Topics: - [Alcohol](https://3rdmil.com/category/alcohol/) - [Drugs](https://3rdmil.com/category/drugs/) - [Cannabis and THC](https://3rdmil.com/category/cannabis-and-thc/) - [Vaping and Nicotine](https://3rdmil.com/category/vaping-and-nicotine/) - [Human Trafficking](https://3rdmil.com/category/human-trafficking/) - [Healthy Relationships](https://3rdmil.com/category/healthy-relationships/) - [Universities and Colleges](https://3rdmil.com/category/universities-and-colleges/) - [High Schools and Middle Schools](https://3rdmil.com/category/high-schools-and-middle-schools/) [https://3rdmil.com/?s=](https://3rdmil.com/?s=) ![](https://3rdmil.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/search_desktop.svg) ![](https://3rdmil.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/search_mobile.svg) [see all articles tablet](https://3rdmil.com/?s=) ![](https://3rdmil.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/search_desktop.svg) ![](https://3rdmil.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/search_mobile.svg) [Page 1 32](https://3rdmil.com/?s=) ![](https://3rdmil.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Page-1-3.svg) ## Related Articles [![bg\_sec2](https://3rdmil.com/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/bg_sec2-qgm4sqdgtva4y0szr7luczafz6p3apz36ubh34q1g0.webp) ## AI and Academic Integrity: How Universities Can Prevent AI Cheating and Protect Their Reputation ![](https://3rdmil.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Little-Squares.svg)](https://3rdmil.com/ai-academic-integrity-higher-education/) [![Cannabis\_ A\_Detailed\_Guide-img](https://3rdmil.com/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/Cannabis_-A_Detailed_Guide-img-scaled-1-qk224g3aw94ulf50ia25tol5l5prkigud7zuec2bbk.jpg) ## The 2018 Farm Bill Explained: What Schools, Courts, and Agencies Must Know in 2026 ![](https://3rdmil.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Little-Squares.svg)](https://3rdmil.com/the-2018-farm-bill-explained-what-schools-courts-and-agencies-must-know-in-2026/) [![hazing prevention photo](https://3rdmil-uploads.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/06212432/hazing-prevention-photo.jpg) ## Hazing Is a Multi-Million Dollar Problem for Universities: Here’s Why Prevention Matters ![](https://3rdmil.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Little-Squares.svg)](https://3rdmil.com/cost-of-hazing-universities/) [![Screenshot 2026-05-07 110053](https://3rdmil-uploads.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/07160103/Screenshot-2026-05-07-110053.png) ## Course Highlight: Hazing & Hosting ![](https://3rdmil.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Little-Squares.svg)](https://3rdmil.com/course-highlight-hazing-hosting/) [https://3rdmil.com/?s=](https://3rdmil.com/?s=)