Virginia colleges, universities rank poorly overall in tobacco-free policy, VDH finds

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) has released new data on tobacco-free higher education in the state, finding that most Virginia institutions it graded have a “tobacco policy report card” of a C or lower.

The VDH has launched a new “Virginia Higher Education Tobacco Policy Dashboard” on its site. The data reflects the 49 total tobacco policy report cards issued as of April 2024.

The report cards are the result of a standardized review of tobacco policies at each institution, according to the VDH. They reflect how effective each institution’s policies appear to be.

“Research shows that nearly nine out of ten adults who smoke cigarettes daily, first tried smoking by age 18, and 99% by age 26,” “Since most college students fall within this age range, implementing policies that prevent tobacco use and support health is crucial.”

Of all of the policy grades awarded, 19 are Cs, 13 are Ds, and 5 are Fs. Only four institutions received an A and only two earned a B. Six are marked “incomplete” — which means no tobacco policies were found at that institution.

According to the VDH, an A is awarded to institutions that are 100% tobacco-free. Bs are awarded to institutions that are 100% smoke-free, meaning that combustible products and e-cigarettes are banned.

“According to a college campus analysis performed by the American for Non-Smokers Rights Foundation, Virginia currently ranks second to last in the United States for tobacco-free higher education,” VDH said in a press release announcing the dashboard.

The A-graded institutions include Virginia Union University in Richmond, Randolph-Macon College in Hanover County, Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk and Regent University in Virginia Beach. Bs were given to Liberty University in Lynchburg and Patrick Henry College in Loudoun County.

Here’s a breakdown of the remaining universities and what grades they received.

Institutions that earned a C grade

A C grade means an institution bans smoking indoors and some outdoor restrictions are present.

Central Virginia institutions

• Longwood University in Prince Edward County
• Union Presbyterian in Richmond
• University of Richmond in Richmond
• Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond

Institutions outside of Central Virginia

• Marymount University in Arlington County
• University of Virginia in Charlottesville
• George Mason University in Fairfax County
• University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg
• Hampton University in Hampton
• Virginia Military Institute in Lexington
• Washington and Lee University in Lexington
• George Washington University in Loudoun County
• Norfolk State University in Norfolk City
• Old Dominion University in Norfolk City
• Radford University in Radford
• Holins University in Roanoke County
• Roanoke College in Roanoke County
• Virginia Wesleyan College in Virginia Beach

Institutions that earned a D grade

A D grade means smoking is banned indoors at an institution.

• Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria
• Sweet Briar College in Amherst County
• Ferrum College in Franklin County
• Randolph College in Lynchburg
• University of Lynchburg in Lynchburg
• Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Montgomery County
• Christopher Newport University in Newport News
• Bridgewater College in Rockingham County
• Mary Baldwin University in Staunton
• Emory & Henry College in Washington County
• College of William and Mary in Williamsburg
• Shenandoah University in Winchester
• University of Virginia’s College at Wise in Wise County

Institutions that earned a F grade

An F grade means smoking is banned indoors at an institution, but there are exceptions to that rule.

Central Virginia institutions

• Hampden-Sydney College in Prince Edward County

Institutions outside of Central Virginia

• Averett University in Danville
• Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg
• Bluefield College in Tazewell County
• Christendom College in Warren County

Institutions that were marked “incomplete”

An “incomplete” mark means VDH could not find a tobacco policy for an institution.

Central Virginia institutions

• Virginia State University in Petersburg

Institutions outside of Central Virginia

• Divine Mercy University in Arlington County
• Appalachian College of Pharmacy in Buchanan County
• Appalachian School of Law in Buchanan County

Centura College and ECPI University, both with multiple locations throughout Virginia, were also marked “incomplete.”

For additional information and for more detailed results on each graded institution, visit the dashboard .

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