Students and employees at Community College of Allegheny County now used to lighting up a cigarette on school property soon can expect to hear this: Put it out.
Effective with this week’s start of spring classes, the college said its four campuses and all other locations will become smoke- and tobacco-free zones, meaning that smoking and the use of tobacco products on college property by students, faculty, staff and administrators are no longer allowed.
The college’s board of trustees approved the policy unanimously at its meeting Thursday.
Officials at CCAC said the ban applies both indoors and outdoors and covers use of electronic cigarettes and vaping devices.
It stems from the college’s participation in the Truth Initiative’s Smoke-Free and Tobacco-Free Community College Grant Initiative. That initiative, formerly known as the Legacy Foundation, grew from a major federal settlement with the tobacco companies, officials said.
The initiative helps community colleges create healthier environments. Officials said CCAC was among 100 community colleges nationwide selected in 2015 to participate, and it has received $10,000 in grants.
The college cited data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that about 18 percent of students with an associate degree smoke. That compares with 9 percent of students with an undergraduate degree.
The college said it is providing smoking cessation classes and making other preparations to roll out the policy. It said visitors to the college, including contractors, will be asked to comply.
Bill Schackner: bschackner@post-gazette.com, 412-263-1977 and on Twitter:@BschacknerPG.
First Published: January 16, 2017, 5:00 a.m.