Halifax Community College goes 100 percent tobacco free

During the June 29 meeting, the Halifax Community College Board of Trustees adopted a policy to make the campus 100 percent tobacco free. The policy goes into effect Aug. 1. The board adopted the policy to support efforts to reduce tobacco use, to provide a safe campus for students, visitors and staff, and to promote a cleaner campus.

As a “smoke free” campus, all forms and all usage of tobacco products will be prohibited. Anyone entering HCC’s campus and satellite facilities including outdoor areas, parking lots, school driveway entrances and exits, and any HCC-sponsored events will not be permitted to use tobacco products. This also includes the use of tobacco in personal vehicles while on HCC property.

Specific provisions of the policy include:

1. Use of tobacco is prohibited by students, staff, faculty or visitors.

2. The sale or free distribution of tobacco products including merchandise, on campus or at school events, is prohibited.

3. Student organizations are prohibited from accepting money or gifts from tobacco companies.

4. Tobacco advertisements are prohibited in college-run publications and on grounds or facilities including athletic facilities owned or operated by HCC.

5. HCC will provide free, accessible tobacco treatment on campus.

All faculty and staff will be responsible for enforcing the new policy.

According to the policy, tobacco is defined as any type of tobacco product including, but not limited to, cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, pipes, Bidis, hookahs, smokeless or spit tobacco or snuff.

Faculty and staff were surveyed prior to the adoption of the policy, resulting in a 68.5 percent response for making HCC a tobacco-free campus. The policy was adopted because the college recognizes that tobacco use is the single most preventable cause of death in North Carolina and in the nation and is detrimental to the health and safety of students, faculty, staff and visitors.

Numerous resources to help tobacco users prepare for the policy are available. Students, faculty and staff who use tobacco can take advantage of a free tobacco quit line that uses expert support to assist in quitting tobacco use. Tobacco treatment programs will be publicized regularly in student and staff publications, academic buildings, and throughout Student Services.

Over the next few months, signs promoting the new policy will be placed around the campus and announcements will be made at school-sponsored events.

For more information on tobacco-free programs and services, contact Dean of Student Services Barbara Bradley-Hasty at (252) 536-7232 or Personnel Officer Delois Mercer at (252) 536-7242.

HCC Tobacco-Free Campus Committee members presented some of the signs that will be used to communicate the newly adopted 100 percent Tobacco-Free Campus Policy. The materials were provided free of charge by the North Carolina Health & Wellness Trust Fund. Those pictured include Dean of Student Services Barbara Bradley-Hasty, Security Officer Ed White, Dean of Curriculum Programs Dr. Harriet Morrison, School of Nursing & Allied Health Division Chair and Nursing Department Head/Instructor Kelly Harvey, HCC President Dr. Ervin V. Griffin Sr., Vice President for Institutional Advancement Tom Schwartz, Administrative Assistant to the President Jennifer Jones, and Director of Counseling Services Dr. Carolyn Stuart.