University students are one of the main victims of tobacco addiction. For this reason, the Tobacco Free Initiative has been focusing on tobacco prevention campaigns that target young adults, especially within universities.

With support of the World Health Organization, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health, TFI launched a project entitled “Tobacco Free Universities” to further spread awareness against the dangers of smoking and provide smoke-free environments for students.

Objectives:

• Target students in the place they spend most of their time, such as universities.
• Create a positive image of the non-smoker to whom students can identify themselves.
• Reveal to students the trap of tobacco advertising.
• Inform students about the consequences of smoking.
• Help students form a “critical thinking” and an “active attitude” against tobacco.
• Guide students towards activities that promote a healthy life (sports, music…)

Until 2012, four universities have signed the petition:

• American University of Beirut – Faculty of Health
• Lebanese University – Faculty of Health
• Saint Joseph University in Beirut
• Antonine University