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MARQUETTE — The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Tobacco Section has released the “Tobacco-Free Report Card: Michigan Colleges and Universities,” which reports on the current state of tobacco-free and smoke-free campus policies in Michigan.

Northern Michigan University received a C grade. According to NMU policy, smoking is allowed in vehicles driven or parked on campus that have the windows fully closed (meaning the vehicle is completely enclosed — including no open doors, hatchbacks or other vehicle openings) and where there are no minors in the vehicle.

“Northern Michigan University is proud to be a tobacco-free campus and is committed to providing a healthy environment for students, faculty, staff and visitors,” the university said in a statement. “NMU became tobacco-free on Aug. 1, 2014. Our comprehensive campus-wide policy provides two exceptions: an enclosed private vehicle and the university-owned golf course. Health and wellness is a top priority at NMU and the tobacco-free campus policy is a big part of that effort.”

Michigan Tech University received an A grade, with a 100% smoke/tobacco-free policy, also including e-cigarettes. Also receiving an A grade with a 100% smoke/tobacco-free policy, also including e-cigarettes, was Lake Superior State University.

Finlandia University received a C grade, allowing smoking in parking lots and private vehicles only, including e-cigarettes.

Bay College obtained an A+ grade as it has a 100% smoke/tobacco/nicotine-free policy that includes all commercial tobacco and synthetic nicotine products.

Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College, which allows smoking — including e-cigarettes — in designated areas, was given a D grade. Gogebic Community College was given an F, with a policy that includes only the perimeter of entryways.

Bay Mills Community College received a D- grade for a policy that involves designated smoking areas.

“MDHHS applauds the schools with 100% tobacco-free campuses and encourages all campuses to go 100% tobacco free,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, MDHHS chief medical executive, in a statement. “Tobacco use is the number one cause of preventable death and disability in Michigan, and at least 99% of cigarette smokers start before the age of 26.

“In Michigan, adult e-cigarette use is highest among young adults. Tobacco-free policies on college and university campuses are an effective strategy to prevent young adults from using tobacco and help current users quit.”

Currently, one in three campuses has a 100% tobacco-free campus policy, the report said. The report also includes a list of Michigan colleges and universities, and the grade or score they received as a result of their current tobacco policy with the detailed scoring methodology explained.

The report card includes information on tobacco use, secondhand smoke exposure, tobacco-free smoke policies and information on how to receive technical assistance to improve smoke-free policies.

“We are encouraging Michigan colleges and universities to use this report card as a tool to improve the health of their students, faculty and staff. These policies aim to change social norms, prevent initiation, decrease secondhand smoke and aerosol, and encourage quitting,” said Amanda Gallaher, author of the Tobacco-Free Report Card, in a statement.

The MDHHS Tobacco Section offers training and technical assistance to support tobacco-free and smoke-free campus policies. To request training or other technical assistance, contact the MDHHS Tobacco Section at 517-335-8376 and visit Michigan.gov/Tobacco to learn more about tobacco prevention and cessation resources in Michigan.

With only about one in three having 100% tobacco-free or smoke-free policies, this includes 37% of public community, 43% of public four-year or other colleges and universities, and 32% of private colleges and universities.

Most Michigan colleges and universities, the report said, have tobacco-free or smoke-free policies addressing e-cigarettes. This includes at least 80% of public community, 71% of public four-year and other public, and 63% of private colleges and universities. Other policies either did not include e-cigarettes or it could not be determined.

Christie Mastric can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 250. Her email address is cbleck@miningjournal.net.