³ÉÈ˶¶Òõ is a Tobacco-Free College
- What is the Tobacco-Free College initiative?
- Why have a tobacco-free campus environment?
- What is the difference between smoke-free and tobacco-free?
- Whom does this policy affect?
- Does the policy apply to the entire campus, including parking lots?
- Why not designate smoking areas on campus?
- Will there be cessation programs available for students, faculty, and staff?
- How will ³ÉÈ˶¶Òõ address compliance with this policy?
- How will this policy be communicated to students, staff, and visitors?
- Isn’t smoking a personal, legal right?
- Aren’t college students adults who can make their own decisions about tobacco use?
- Why should I comply?
- Why not ban other unhealthy substances like high-fat foods?
- Do I have to quit using tobacco?
What is the Tobacco-Free College initiative?
In the interest of promoting the health and well-being of students, visitors, and employees, all ³ÉÈ˶¶Òõ facilities, including leased facilities, grounds, and parking areas, became tobacco-free on Aug. 1, 2011. Students, employees, and visitors are not permitted to use tobacco products at any ³ÉÈ˶¶Òõ campus, center, or facility.
Specifically, the Ìýadopted by the ³ÉÈ˶¶Òõ District Board of Trustees prohibits the use, distribution, or sale of tobacco or any object or device intended to simulate tobacco use, in all indoor and exterior areas of each campus, center, and other property under the control of the college.
Why have a tobacco-free campus environment?
Just as ³ÉÈ˶¶Òõ is invested in academic achievement, the college is committed to developing lifetime habits that promote individual and civic wellness. ³ÉÈ˶¶Òõ has a responsibility to provide a safe and healthful environment to all who use our campuses and to act in a manner that is consistent with the educational message presented in its classes. Results from statistically validated surveys distributed to ³ÉÈ˶¶Òõ students and employees during the fall term of 2010 clearly demonstrated that a large majority, 75 percent of each population, supported the development of a tobacco-free environment, and less than 10 percent opposed the initiative.
³ÉÈ˶¶Òõ recognizes the increasing weight of scientific evidence that smoking is harmful not only to the smoker but also to the individual who is exposed to secondhand smoke. ³ÉÈ˶¶Òõ’s Tobacco-Free Policy intends to reduce the harm caused by tobacco use, provide an environment that encourages persons to be tobacco-free, establish a campus culture of wellness, and promote a tobacco-free future for everyone associated with the college.
Research shows that tobacco use in general constitutes a significant health hazard. Smoking also increases costs of potential fire damage, cleaning and maintenance, absenteeism, health care, and medical insurance.
Higher education prepares students to cope with the reality of living situations, including the reality that fewer and fewer spaces permit smoking and tobacco use. More and more these days, worksites, restaurants, public buildings, shopping malls, healthcare and transportation facilities are 100 percent smoke-free. ³ÉÈ˶¶Òõ is proud to join the effort to promote healthy lifestyles and to protect students, employees, and visitors from the harmful effects of tobacco.
What is the difference between smoke-free and tobacco-free?
Tobacco-free includes the use of any oral tobacco products, such as chewing tobacco, or lighted tobacco products, such as cigarettes, cigars, and pipes.
This policy applies to everyone at any college campus, center, or other location: all faculty, staff, students, contractors, vendors, and visitors while on college property.
Does the policy apply to the entire campus, including parking lots?
Yes, smoking and the use of tobacco products are prohibited throughout all ³ÉÈ˶¶Òõ facilities, including all buildings and indoor facilities, campus grounds, parking lots, streets, gardens and walkways. The use of smokeless tobacco (dipping, chewing, etc.) is also prohibited under this policy and is subject to the same restrictions.
Why not designate smoking areas on campus?
Offering smoking areas does not support our goal to create a healthy environment for students, employees, and visitors. Concentrating smoking to a limited area only increases the health-related risks to those in or near the designated areas and adds unnecessary costs and safety risks for all.
Are cessation programs available for students, faculty, and staff?
Yes. ³ÉÈ˶¶Òõ is committed to providing assistance to