Eliminate Tobacco Use Texas is the initiative’s founding site. In 2015, Dr. David Lakey of The University of Texas System and Dr. Ernest Hawk, of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, along with the EndTobacco® Program team at MD Anderson and the Office of Health Affairs at UT System, created the Eliminate Tobacco Use Texas Initiative. The aim of the initiative was to first tackle tobacco use among the 14 University of Texas system institutions to more effectively lead larger statewide and national tobacco control efforts. The national initiative grew out of foundational work in Texas as the initiative’s first state site.
In 2023, ETU Texas hosted 106 people both virtually and in-person in Dallas the day after the National Summit and centered on the toll and landscape of tobacco use within Texas. Two breakout sessions concentrated on tobacco control in healthcare institutions and on college campuses, and a panel with students from Lee College, University of Texas at Arlington and University of Texas at Dallas shared their experiences as student advocates against tobacco use.
Texas Steering Committee
2022-2023 MEMBERS
Corey J. Benson, M.Ed.
The University of Texas Permian Basin
Paul M. Cinciripini, Ph.D.
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Jennifer Cofer, M.P.H., C.H.E.S.
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Jennifer Cofer, M.P.H., C.H.E.S.
Director, EndTobacco® Program and Cancer Prevention Policy
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Years of service: 21 years
What’s the most rewarding part of being on the ETU team?
When I took my first job in tobacco prevention, I had my grandparents in mind. I was exposed to their secondhand smoke my entire life. As a person with asthma and chronic lung disease issues, their smoke made me sick, and they didn’t know it. As I became more educated in my professional career about secondhand smoke, I had a huge desire to help them learn how to quit. I am proud to say that they quit 10 years into my tobacco control career. They were really proud, they let me know throughout my whole adult life what I was doing was making a difference. I actually have their ashtray on my desk at the office as a constant reminder. They both passed away in 2016, within three months of each other, from tobacco-related diseases. They are my why I chose tobacco control as my long-term career for 21 years. If they never started smoking, or if they had more access to be able to quit, I'd have my grandparents around today.
How has the Eliminate Tobacco Use initiative evolved over the years?
It started as a University of Texas System focused initiative and then grew to be inclusive of other higher education institutions in Texas. What we’ve created, we want to freely share. We’ve created some really great toolkits, resources, policy assistance and lessons learned that we can share among other like-minded institutes. We have now expanded beyond Texas and partner with the states of New Jersey, Missouri and Virginia who are replicating our model and expanding to serve their populations.
If you had a magic public health wand, what’s one thing you would like to see instantly changed about tobacco use?
I would remove flavored products. If the FDA removed those products from the market, we would see a decrease in tobacco use across the board, no doubt. If I can get a second wish, I’d say 100% smoke-free workplaces everywhere indoors, no matter where folks work.
Rosemary Coffman, Ph.D., C.R.C.
Lee College
Eunice Currie
The University of Texas at Arlington
Eunice Currie
Assistant Vice President for Cultural Competence, Education, and Diversity Programming
The University of Texas at Arlington
Years of service: 5 years
Does your role focus mainly on students, faculty, staff, guests, or some combination?
Faculty and staff
Bryanda Dominguez
The University of Texas at San Antonio
Bryanda Dominguez
Wellness Program Manager
The University of Texas at San Antonio
Years of service: New this year
Does your role focus mainly on students, faculty, staff, guests, or some combination?
A combination of students, faculty, staff and guests
Why are you passionate about creating a smoke-free campus?
To protect non-users from secondary smoke
What is one tobacco/vape control success - big or small, it's all important - that's happened on your campus in the last couple of years?
Using the walking trails system to promote the ETU program
Policy, prevention or cessation programs to highlight:
Healthy Mondays will be used to promote the Eliminate Tobacco Use initiative. Studies show that Mondays are the day of the week tobacco users are most likely to choose as quitting day.
Does your role focus mainly on students, faculty, staff, guests, or some combination?
I teach classes in the Psychology Department at UNT (such as courses on addictive behaviors), and I conduct research that attempts to identify the motivational underpinnings of addictive behaviors, particularly personality traits, cognitive dispositions, and emotional states/traits.
Why are you passionate about creating a smoke-free campus?
Because smoking is unhealthy not only for the person who smokes but also for anyone exposed to secondhand smoke, and cigarette smoking in particular remains the leading cause of preventable disease and death in the United States.
What is one tobacco/vape control success - big or small, it's all important - that's happened on your campus in the last couple of years?
As of 2020, UNT’s Smoke-Free Campus policy was amended to prohibit the use of electronic cigarettes and smokeless tobacco (in addition to cigarette smoking already having been prohibited for years).
Ernie Hawk, M.D., M.P.H.
The University of Texas MD Anderson Center Center
Ernie Hawk, M.D., M.P.H.
VP for Cancer Prevention, Head of Division of Cancer Prevention & Population Sciences Co-leader of Cancer Prevention & Control Platform
The University of Texas MD Anderson Center Center
Years of service: Since inception
Does your role focus mainly on students, faculty, staff, guests, or some combination?
Faculty, Staff, Patients, Community; not students because we have few/none
Why are you passionate about creating a smoke-free campus?
Advance population health and tobacco free environments at the population level. Campuses of higher learning serve populations that are at a critical age for deciding their long-term health practices. For example, related to tobacco adoption, recent data suggest that as many as 90+% of smokers begin their use before 21 years of age. Additionally, these campuses contribute many of our society's most influential leaders, who can then serve as advocates and change agents who value health as an aspirational, yet achievable, goal across our population well into the future.
What is one tobacco/vape control success - big or small, it's all important - that's happened on your campus in the last couple of years?
Development/growth of CTTTP, the post-CTTTP ECHO program of support, and the more recent tobacco cessation/prevention assistance program offered to FQHCs, CHCs, mental health orgs, VAMCs, and others who directly serve smokers in our population.
Alex Hurst, M.H.A.
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Alex Hurst, M.H.A.
Program Manager, EndTobacco® Program
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Years of service: 12+ years
What’s the most rewarding part of being on the ETU team?
The most rewarding part of leading and supporting this initiative is the opportunity to work with so many creative and passionate individuals across the country ready to make a substantial impact on their campuses and within their institutions. Knowing that this initiative will assist in creating a healthier environment for students, faculty, staff, patients and visitors and has the potential to save many lives over time is a reward in itself.
When I think about the future of tobacco control, I feel:
Confident!
What is one of the biggest successes of the ETU initiative over the past year?
If I had to name just one of the most notable achievements over the past year, it would have to be the one that didn’t take the mainstage. Some may point to the success in assisting major institutions in going tobacco-free over the last year, others would name supporting the implementation of various cessation treatment services on certain campuses. I feel the biggest success would be formalizing the initiative in a way where it could be easily replicated in new states with collaborating partners to expand the overall impact and reach of this movement. To date, we currently have collaborators in the states of Texas, New Jersey, Virginia and Missouri. Over the next year we look to recruit new states to join the movement.
Aneesah Hyder, M.S.P.H.
UT Southwestern Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center
Aneesah Hyder, M.S.P.H.
UT Southwestern Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center
Years of service: 1
Does your role focus mainly on students, faculty, staff, guests, or some combination?
My role is diverse and over many programs which focus on all community members of the DFW catchment area (including students, staff, faculty, etc.). 1) The two health promotion programs, nicotine prevention and balanced living, specifically focus on young adults2) The Nicotine Cessation Program is open to anyone who uses tobacco/nicotine products- including our hospital staff3) Speakers Bureau is community-wide and includes recordings/a video series
Why are you passionate about creating a smoke-free campus?
Smoking in itself can cause a plethora of health repercussions for healthy individuals, though continuing to smoke after a cancer diagnosis increases the patient's risk of mortality by 113%. As an employee of Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center who oversees our Nicotine Cessation Program, manages health promotion on nicotine prevention and balanced living for young adults, and is a key member in implementing the American College of Surgeons' Just Ask initiative on our campus, I am highly invested and passionate about reducing the number of individuals who smoke by connecting them with resources to assist them in quitting– ultimately to reduce their risk of mortality that is disproportionately escalated by smoking.
What is one tobacco/vape control success - big or small, it's all important - that's happened on your campus in the last couple of years?
Improved signage, locating smoking "hotspots," and implementing the American College of Surgeons' Just Ask initiative on our campus.
Policy, prevention or cessation programs to highlight:
-The Nicotine Cessation Program
-An upcoming young adult health promotion program for nicotine prevention
-The ACS Just Ask initiative pilot that is now fully implemented at the SCCC
-SCCC leaders' prioritization of tobacco screening and connecting applicable patients to nicotine cessation resources-UT Southwestern is a smoke-free campus
Aimee Israel, L.C.S.W.
UT Southwestern Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center
Aimee Israel, L.C.S.W.
Assistant Director, Office of Community Outreach, Engagement and Equity
UT Southwestern Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center
Years of service: < 1 year
Does your role focus mainly on students, faculty, staff, guests, or some combination?
Faculty, staff, patients, programmatic
Why are you passionate about creating a smoke-free campus?
The more I learn about the impact of nicotine use, the more committed I am to leading efforts to ensure that every patient at Simmons Cancer Center has easy access to our nicotine cessation program. Changing any behavior is difficult but that's especially the case when addiction is involved. For that reason, I feel especially privileged to work alongside clinicians who support patients on their quit journey.
What is one tobacco/vape control success - big or small, it's all important - that's happened on your campus in the last couple of years?
We are more systematically measuring cessation rates from our nicotine cessation program. This data will help us analyze which elements of our program are functioning well and which need adjustment. It's a critical quality improvement metric.
Policy, prevention or cessation programs to highlight:
The Nicotine Cessation Program at Simmons Cancer Center is available to all patients at UTSW. The program is currently delivered 100% via telehealth. Patients can participate in video or telephone sessions. Treatment is delivered by Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialists and an MD. There is no charge associated with provider visits. There may be a cost for medication, if prescribed.
Does your role focus mainly on students, faculty, staff, guests, or some combination?
Combination of students, faculty and staff.
Why are you passionate about creating a smoke-free campus?
Why are you passionate about creating a smoke-free campus? I am passionate about UTEP being a tobacco and smoke-free campus because it demonstrates that we care about the health of our students, faculty, staff and the El Paso community. We set an example of the importance of educating people and creating awareness about health risks to tobacco users and to those exposed to second and third hand smoke. We help in creating an air of respect for our environment and community.
What is one tobacco/vape control success - big or small, it's all important - that's happened on your campus in the last couple of years?
We have been a tobacco and smoke free campus since August of 2013. Each year, we focus on enforcing the campus' policy amongst faculty, staff, students and visitors.
Misty Lewis is the RN, Lung Nodule Program Manager in the Pulmonary Clinic at UT Health East Texas North Campus Tyler. She is responsible for the direct supervision of the lung nodule program. Mrs. Lewis has been a nurse for 20 years, as well as receiving her BBA in 2008 and then her MPH from the UTHSCT in 2019. Mrs. Lewis is dedicated to educating and serving her community and firmly believes this improves public health outcomes.
Carla Lopez, M.B.A.
The University of Texas System
Daneen Nastars, D.H.Sc., R.R.T., R.R.T.-A.C.C.S.
The University of Texas Medical Branch
Latoya Oduniyi
The University of Texas at Arlington
Nosse Ovienmhada
The University of Texas at Austin
Dr. Kimberly Pounds, Dr.P.H.
Texas Southern University
Dr. Kimberly Pounds, Dr.P.H.
Assistant Professor
Texas Southern University
Years of service: New member
Does your role focus mainly on students, faculty, staff, guests, or some combination?
Students
Why are you passionate about creating a smoke-free campus?
I have personal experience with the impact of smoking on one's health. I care about the students and their potential to serve the greater community once they graduate. Helping them achieve the best health outcomes helps to ensure that they will be able to lead in their role as citizens and professionals.
What is one tobacco/vape control success - big or small, it's all important - that's happened on your campus in the last couple of years?
The creation of the task force was a great way to increase students, faculty, staff and administrators' awareness of the flaws in our current policy. We were able to identify champions for creating a tobacco free campus.
Amelie Ramirez, Dr.P.H.
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
Matthew Rossheim, Ph.D., M.P.H., C.P.H.
University of North Texas Health Science Center
Matthew Rossheim, Ph.D., M.P.H., C.P.H.
Associate Professor of Public Health
University of North Texas Health Science Center
Years of service: New this year
Does your role focus mainly on students, faculty, staff, guests, or some combination?
I teach classes in the MS/PhD program and conduct public health research related to alcohol, tobacco and cannabis prevention and control.
Why are you passionate about creating a smoke-free campus?
Tobacco-free campus policies help save money, save lives, and create a more inclusive working and learning environment for everyone on campus
What is one tobacco/vape control success - big or small, it's all important - that's happened on your campus in the last couple of years?
I helped get the existing UNTHSC tobacco policy added to the ANRF list of 100% tobacco-free campus policies
Is there a webpage/URL you'd like to include in your profile?
Director, Public Health Practice School of Public & Population Health
The University of Texas Medical Branch
Years of service: 1 year
Does your role focus mainly on students, faculty, staff, guests, or some combination?
My job focuses mostly on students, but my role with ETU encompasses all (patients, employees and students).
Why are you passionate about creating a smoke-free campus?
Because tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable disease, disability and death in the USA and a tobacco-free campus improves the health of everyone on it.
What is one tobacco/vape control success - big or small, it's all important - that's happened on your campus in the last couple of years?
Creating a campus-level tobacco-free Taskforce to help us make progress around our prevention and cessation efforts.
Brad Stewart, M.B.A., M.Ed.
Texas Christian University
Brad Stewart, M.B.A., M.Ed.
Associate Director, Fitness & Wellness Education
Texas Christian University
Years of service: 3 years
Does your role focus mainly on students, faculty, staff, guests, or some combination?
Mainly student focused, but a combination of programming for all members of the TCU community
Why are you passionate about creating a smoke-free campus?
I am passionate about creating a healthy and supportive environment for all individuals to thrive on campus free from negative health or other impacts to their success.
What is one tobacco/vape control success - big or small, it's all important - that's happened on your campus in the last couple of years?
TCU moved to be 100% tobacco-free 4 years ago and we have continued to modify and strengthen the policy since then. Most recently, strengthening the policy to prohibit ENDS use in all residential halls on campus.
Associate Dean for Student Rights and Responsibilities
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Years of service: 6 years
Does your role focus mainly on students, faculty, staff, guests, or some combination?
Primarily students, but also employees and guests
Why are you passionate about creating a smoke-free campus?
When you stop for a moment and realize the damage that tobacco use can do, the way it impacts our youth, the way it is realized in health care impacts (economically and outcomes), I find myself drawn to making a difference on our campus. I have long been an advocate for creating safe environments for members of my community since I started my career in higher ed and in city government. Being a member of the steering committee has allowed me to continue this important work. As a former smoker, I have been able to see, first-hand, the benefits of quitting. I understand how hard it is to stop and to keep being smoke free until you see the benefits. I am committed to ensuring that our students, faculty and staff can enjoy a healthy and supportive environment on our campus.
What is one tobacco/vape control success - big or small, it's all important - that's happened on your campus in the last couple of years?
I would say the most satisfying was the overall commitment that we have received from members of our university community regarding the creation of a tobacco free campus. The signage, support groups in the counseling center, the active bystanders all have committed to supporting this effort. It is encouraging.
Policy, prevention or cessation programs to highlight:
Our active bystander program is called "The Superhero Project". As we looked for ways to frame the interactions around smoking, we developed "The Superhero DNA" initiative. DNA is an acronym for "Do not assume that the individual knows the policy, Never be disrespectful and Always leave on a positive note. This was a message that resonated with our students and provided them with a safe way to approach someone who may be violating the tobacco free policies.
Does your role focus mainly on students, faculty, staff, guests, or some combination?
Taylor is the staff/faculty dietitian, manages the Employee Wellness program and serves on the Campus Wellness Committee.
What is one tobacco/vape control success - big or small, it's all important - that's happened on your campus in the last couple of years?
Taylor was a member of the task-force that led to UT Dallas becoming a tobacco-free campus.
Policy, prevention or cessation programs to highlight:
Taylor provides nutrition and health education through one-on-one counseling, health and wellness fairs and lunch and learns. Taylor also works with the HR Benefits team to implement the UT System Living Well programs and helps to coordinate UTD’s participation in the City of Richardson’s Corporate Challenge.
Does your role focus mainly on students, faculty, staff, guests, or some combination?
Faculty & staff
Why are you passionate about creating a smoke-free campus?
I believe, as a Health Science Center, we must lead by example.
Tiffany Winter, M.P.H.
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Tiffany Winter, M.P.H.
Program Coordinator, EndTobacco® Program
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Years of service: 4 years
What’s the most rewarding part of being on the ETU team?
The most rewarding part is seeing campuses take a larger role in the tobacco control movement outside of research. It is exciting to see the unique successes in implementing their goals whether it be with passing a policy, making adaptations to their cessation service offerings or increasing education and awareness no matter how big or small.
When I think about the future of tobacco control, I feel:
Ecstatic!
Elizabeth S. Yett, Pharm.D., B.C.A.C.P., T.T.S.
The University of Texas at Tyler
Elizabeth S. Yett, Pharm.D., B.C.A.C.P., T.T.S.
Clinical Assistant Professor
The University of Texas at Tyler
Years of service: <1 year
Does your role focus mainly on students, faculty, staff, guests, or some combination?
Combination of students and faculty
Why are you passionate about creating a smoke-free campus?
I want our campus to be a focal point of the community and to encourage guests to experience the beauty of East Texas here by visiting our grounds. I want everyone to know they are welcome and that we are actively working to provide them a healthy, clean, welcoming environment with our smoke-free policy and efforts.
What is one tobacco/vape control success - big or small, it's all important - that's happened on your campus in the last couple of years?
We completed a "campus hot spot tour" and noted all the areas where there are often people using tobacco products. We also noted all the places where there are outdated "tobacco-free campus" signs and are currently in the process of updating those to enhance awareness of our policy.
Please list any policy, prevention, or cessation programs you would like to highlight (this is an area to promote any of your programs):
Provided presentation to incoming undergraduate students at orientation (~1000 students) and their guests (~700 people) on tobacco cessation resources we have available for them, the harms of vaping, and an introduction to Peers Against Tobacco.
