Smoke-free efforts formerly were limited to creating nonsmoking niches in restaurants and having only a few smoke-free airline flights.

But over the past few years, a whole new generation has grown up without the barrage of television images of smokers in sitcoms and commercials, laws have been passed restricting access and use, and tobacco companies have had to pay for the damages caused by their products.

What has happened is that those opposed to pub-
lic smoking have found their voice.

Ironically, the last bastion of smoking freedom (and marketing of tobacco products) has been at outdoor sporting events. But there is a greater awareness about tobacco now. More and more college and professional athletics facilities are going smoke free because of fan demand. The 1988 Winter Olympic Games in Calgary were the world's first smoke-free Games. Since then, all Olympic Games have been smoke free.

The American College Health Association (ACHA) acknowledges and supports the findings of the Surgeon General that tobacco use in any form, active or passive, is a significant health hazard. The ACHA has adopted a no-smoking policy and encourages colleges and universities to be diligent in their efforts to achieve a campus-wide smoke-free environment, including gymnasiums, stadiums, coliseums and other athletics facilities.

In 1994, the NCAA passed a ban on the use of all tobacco products during practice and competition by student-athletes and athletics personnel.

Now the new trend is for campuses to provide environments that support healthy choices and that prohibit smoking or tobacco use, which may lead to another trend -- healthier generations to come.