In April of 2016, a revision to the Clinton Community College policy on smoking was approved by the College Board of Trustees. A later addendum, postponed the effective date for this policy to May 19, 2017. On this date, Clinton Community College will become a “Tobacco Free Campus” with all use of smoking and tobacco products prohibited on the main campus, with the exception of inside personal vehicles.
See the full policy below or at http://www.clinton.edu/StudentServices/Content-docs/dc/5600/gid/22/document.cml
In striving to provide leadership in health and wellness, Clinton Community College understands that health is as important as education. Clinton Community College is dedicated to providing a safe, healthy, comfortable, and productive working, living and educational environment for the entire campus community.
Clinton Community College recognizes the overwhelming scientific evidence assembled by the U.S. Surgeon General, Centers for Disease Control, Environmental Protection Agency, and World Health Organization, which demonstrates that tobacco is a profound agent of deadly diseases, responsible for millions of deaths worldwide each year, both to tobacco users and non-users. Recognizing the hazards of smoking, Clinton Community College previously restricted smoking to certain designated areas on campus. Additional studies have since indicated that exposure to second-hand smoke is a significant risk for everyone. All forms of tobacco (including Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems i.e. e-cigarettes) are now known to be harmful and highly addictive. Clinton Community College cares deeply about the health of all its members and as an employer and an institution of higher education, the College is committed to providing a safe working, living and educational environment. Tobacco use is inconsistent with the Campus culture of wellness.
Clinton Community College’s commitment to becoming tobacco-free is based on the following:
o Support the Clinton Community College campus priority of wellness.
o Preserve respect for others and the environment.
o Reduce the health hazards posed by exposure to second-hand smoke on campus.
o Prepare students for tobacco-free workplaces.
o Help prevent desecration of the campus environment by tobacco litter.
o Eliminate designated smoking areas that can limit smoke-free access for people with disabilities.
o Discourage students from adopting or continuing the use of any form of tobacco while attending Clinton Community College.
o Be a leader among community colleges in public health policy and wellness promotion.
o Recognize that, as stated by the CDC, smokeless tobacco can lead to nicotine addiction and adolescent users are more likely to become smokers.
o Address the usage of smokeless tobacco at Clinton Community College.
Definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following definitions apply:
“Tobacco” is defined as all tobacco and tobacco-derived products intended for human consumption, including, but not limited to: cigarettes, cigars, hookah-smoked products, clove cigarettes, bidis, kreteks, smokeless tobacco, and snus. This definition does not include any product that has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for sale as a tobacco use cessation product.
“ENDS” (Electronic Nicotine Delivery System) means a personal electronic device that aerosolizes liquid or gel containing nicotine, flavorings or other constituents and produces an emission which may be absorbed or inhaled by the user. ENDS include any such devise, whether manufactured, distributed, marketed or sold as an electronic cigarette, an electronic cigar, an electronic cigarillo, an electronic pipe, an electronic hookah or any other product name or descriptor. ENDS does not include any product specifically approved by the state or the United States Food and Drug Administration for use in mitigation, treatment or prevention of disease when used as intended for its approved purpose.
“College” is defined as Clinton Community College
“College Property” is defined as any property owned, leased, or operated by Clinton Community College.
“Tobacco Company” is defined as a company that produces and/or markets branded tobacco products, including any subsidiaries, but not including parent companies which engage in business activities that are not in any way related to tobacco.
“Tobacco-free Policy” is defined as a policy that limits or eliminates the use of any tobacco product (see def. above) and ENDS. The primary objective of a tobacco-free policy is the overall health and well-being of all members of the campus community.
Key Policy Components
Smoke Free and Tobacco Free Grounds
Tobacco use and the use of ENDS are prohibited everywhere within the perimeter on all Clinton Community College property, both indoors and outdoors, as well as in College-owned vehicles.
All tobacco products in use must be properly disposed of prior to entering any College property or exiting a personal vehicle.
Advertising, Promotions & Sales
Tobacco sales are prohibited anywhere on the Clinton Community College campus.
The College will not accept advertising, marketing, distribution or promotion of tobacco products.
Cessation
Understanding the addictive nature of tobacco use and that breaking that addiction is extremely difficult for many people, the College will make every reasonable effort to assist those employees and students who wish to stop using tobacco. The campus will promote and provide evidence-based cessation resources. Faculty, staff and students can get assistance in starting the process of cessation in our Health Office and can then be referred to an outside organization if needed. Employees can also access support through the Employee Assistance Program and current health insurance provider.
Compliance
This policy is driven by respect for others and the environment and relies on the thoughtfulness, consideration and cooperation of tobacco users and non-users for its success. Enforcement of this policy will depend on the cooperation of all members of the Clinton Community College campus community, both to comply and encourage others to do so. It is the responsibility of all members in the College community to observe this tobacco policy:
All members of the college community shall
Comply with this policy in a courteous, respectful, and cooperative manner and contribute to the effort of educating others about this policy.
Supervisors (college, affiliated organizations, campus events, contractors & athletics) shall
Communicate this policy to employees and ensure employees are in compliance.
Event Organizers shall
Communicate this policy to event attendees and if needed require organizers to take corrective action to ensure compliance.
The policy will be shared with parents, alumni, and visitors through media, campus announcements, the website and other means. Key components of the policy will be posted on signage around campus (e.g.
Tobacco use is not allowed on campus grounds). Public announcements and signs will address the policy at events on campus.
Policy non-compliance will prompt an initial educational response which will include information regarding the existence of the policy, the rationale for the policy and the availability of tobacco cessation support services both on and off campus. Repeated non-compliance will be referred to the appropriate campus student conduct or employee supervisory system for resolution. Employees and students will be treated respectfully in the consistent observance of the policy.
Positive Reinforcement
As the primary purpose of this policy is to improve the health of employees and students, the College is committed to providing opportunities for persons to address their use of tobacco. The College prefers not to revert to negative means of enforcement and trusts that persons will comply voluntarily. To this end, the College will offer smoking cessation programs, provide educational materials and generally seek to influence compliance in a positive manner. The College Health Center is available to all persons interested in seeking ways to address their use of tobacco.
Policy Review
Clinton Community College will maintain a Health, Safety, and Security Committee to identify and address needs and concerns related to this policy, implementation, compliance, enforcement and cessation.
Other Sources of Information and/or assistance for those seeking to quit smoking include:
American Cancer Society
1120 South Goodman Street
Rochester, NY 14620
585-224-4833
New York State Smokers’ Quitline