News

TAFE smokers stub it out on campus

Staff and students at TAFE NSW - Northern Sydney Institute (NSI), Hornsby College have breathed a clean, fresh sigh of relief after the college has decided to move towards a smoke-free campus. The ‘Dare to Care – Support Fresh Air’ campaign will commence on 19 March 2008 to mark National Youth Tobacco Free Day.

A recent student survey showed that nearly 60% of respondents feel passive smoking is an issue for their health on campus. 

Students from across the Hornsby College Graphic Design Department have backed the campaign by incorporating it into their course work. Advanced Diploma students created a series of poster concepts and second year Consumer Studies students created a questionnaire, logo and campaign theme. A favourite logo and tag line were chosen by the students via a group decision.

Dustin Myo, Diploma of Graphic Design student designed the winning logo. “The butterfly illustrates the land and clean air, it also represents the fragility of our environment,” said Dustin.

Naomi Lawsen created the campaign theme. “Dare to Care – Support Fresh Air allows students to feel empowered to respond to the challenge,” said Naomi.

Malcolm Thomas campaign leader and Graphic Design Teacher added, “For a short and indefinite period of time, 3 locations on campus have been designated as smoking areas until people get used to the idea.”

Hornsby College will be the second college campus in Australia to become ‘smoke free’. A medical college campus in Western Australia was the first to introduce a ‘smoke free’ campus a few years ago.