Tobacco-Free Campus Policy
Purpose
Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute (CCC&TI) is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for its students, employees, and visitors. CCC&TI recognizes that the use of tobacco products on campus grounds is detrimental to the health and safety of students, staff, faculty, and visitors (including guests and contractors).
Definition
For the purposes of this policy, smoking is defined as the use or possession of a cigarette, cigar, cigarillo, pipe, or any other tobacco product, or the use of an electronic inhaler that employs a mechanical heating element, battery, electronic circuit or similar device to heat a liquid nicotine solution or other product (e.g., vapor cartridge), such as an electronic cigarette, hookah, cigar or pipe. Other tobacco products are defined as any type of tobacco that is chewed or used in any other form. Examples include, but are not limited to, chewing tobacco, loose leaf, pellets, plugs, twist, pastes, dip, pouches, dissolvable, and nasal/dry snuff.
Policy
G.S. 115D-20 and G.S. 143-599 state that CCC&TI has the legal authority to prohibit tobacco use on its campuses. Therefore, beginning May 16, 2017, Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute will implement the following policy.
Smoking and the use of any tobacco products are prohibited on all properties owned, leased or operated by the college, which includes (but is not limited to) the following properties:
- All campus buildings, facilities or property owned, leased or operated by CCC&TI, including outside areas
- On campus grounds and facilities that are the property of the college, including areas such as walkways breezeways, parking lots, walking trails and patios
- Facilities and/or grounds being used for private events
- All vehicles leased or owned by the college.
Compliance
All students, staff, faculty, and visitors (including guests and contractors) are required to comply with this policy, which shall remain in effect at all times. Refusal to comply with this policy may be cause for disciplinary action:
- Employee non-compliance will be addressed in the same manner as any other college policy violation.
- Student non-compliance will be addressed in the same manner as any other student code of conduct violation.
- Visitor non-compliance may be grounds for removal from campus.
Implementation
The Health and Safety Committee shall develop a plan for communicating the policy to students, staff, faculty, and visitors. This plan may include information in student and employee handbooks, college catalog, website, announcements at institutionally-sponsored or related events, and appropriate signage in buildings and around campus.
Through existing health plans, Employee Assistance Program, and community sponsors, Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute will consult with appropriate health organizations to provide students and employees with information and access to QuitlineNC at 1-800-QUIT-NOW, support systems, programs, and services to encourage abstinence from the use of tobacco products, including publicizing free, accessible tobacco cessation classes, seminars, and support groups on or off campus.
Approved by the Board of Trustees November 16, 2016.