Tobacco Policy

Policy to Prohibit Smoking (in undesignated outside areas) and the Use of Any Tobacco Products in the Buildings of Catawba College.

Due to the acknowledged hazards arising from exposure and use of tobacco products, it is the policy of Catawba College to provide a smoke-free environment in all common areas of the campus. This policy covers the smoking of any tobacco product and the use of smokeless tobacco and applies to students, employees and visitors of the College. Tobacco use of any kind is prohibited in all campus buildings.

To limit the difficulties associated with second-hand smoke, a number of outdoor smoking areas have been established on the campus. Smoking is only permitted inside the designated areas and not in transit to or from it. To assist you in finding these locations, a cigarette receptacle will be placed only in established smoking areas.

Those areas are:

1. The area on the sidewalk between Lerner Wellness Center (in the Cannon Student Center) and Ketner Hall.

2. Hoke Hall: The uncovered portion of the patio located on the exterior campus side of Hoke Hall.

3. Abernethy Physical Education Center: The patio at the entrance to the Kirkland lobby, located on the interior side of campus (Ruth Richards House/Abernethy Village side).

4. Robertson College Community Center in the areas specified below:

• On the patio located between Peeler Crystal Lounge and Hedrick Little Theatre.

• To the left of the entrance area to the main doors to Keppel lobby, under the tall covered walkway area (portico).

• Outside the Keppel Lobby doors which lead out to the parking lot behind the RCCC (at the far opposite end of the lobby from Crystal Lounge).

• At the stage door entrance of the theatre, located on the right side of the building as you face the front of the building from the street.

5. Catawba College Theatre Annex: Immediately outside of the front entrance.

6. Florence Busby Corriher Theatre: Immediately outside of the lobby entrance.

7. Shuford Science Building: Outside on the concrete sidewalk from the greenhouse to the side entrance of the Shuford Science Building.

8. Immediately outside main entrance to Newman Park Baseball Stadium.

9. On the Dearborn Patio between Shuford Stadium and the Baseball Clubhouse.

10. On the loading dock outside of the Maintenance Facility.

11. On the loading dock outside the Chartwell’s kitchen area of the Cannon Student Center.

All students found in violation of smoking outside of a designated area will be subject to the sanctions set forth by the College.

***Policy Update***
Catawba College strongly encourages all members of the community to utilize resources to assist in the cessation of tobacco related products. If you need additional information or resources related to tobacco cessation programs, please visit the Proctor Student Health Center.

Catawba College Board of Trustees has the clear authority to adopt, implement, and enforce a written policy prohibiting at all times the use of any tobacco product by any person in college buildings on college property whether the building be owned, leased, or operated by the College.

The 2006 and 2010 U.S. Surgeon General's Reports have concluded the secondhand smoke exposure causes disease and premature death in children and adults who do not smoke; and that any exposure to tobacco smoke, even an occasional cigarette or exposure to secondhand smoke, is harmful. Achieving a tobacco-free environment requires support from all members of the College. College officials will develop and maintain a plan for communicating the policy to their constituents including, but not limited to, students, college employees, contractors, vendors, and visitors.

Catawba College is committed to providing its employees and students with a safe and healthy working and learning environment. The College recognizes that the use of tobacco products in campus buildings is detrimental to the health and safety of students, staff, faculty, and visitors.

Therefore, beginning 06/01/2013, Catawba College implemented the following additional policy:

1. Smoking and use of other tobacco products is prohibited by students, staff, faculty, and visitors:
   1. In all campus buildings, facilities or property owned, leased or operated by Catawba College;
      
2. For the purposes of this policy, tobacco is defined as any type of tobacco product including, but not limited to: any product containing, made, or derived from tobacco that is intended for human consumption, whether chewed, smoked, absorbed, dissolved, inhaled, snorted, sniffed, or ingested by any other means, or any component part or accessory of a tobacco product, including but not limited to cigarettes; cigars; little cigars; cheroots; stogies; periques; granulated, plug cut, crimp cut, ready rubbed, and other smoking tobacco; snuff; snuff flour; Cavendish; plug and twist tobacco; fine-cut and other chewing tobacco; shorts; refuse scraps, clippings, cutting and sweepings of tobacco, e-cigarettes, hookah; and other kinds and forms of tobacco.
   
   A tobacco product excludes any product that has been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for sale as a tobacco cessation product, as a tobacco dependence product, or for other medical purposes, and is being marketed and sold solely for such an approved purpose. The sale or free distribution of tobacco products, including merchandise, is prohibited on campus or at school events.
   
3. Student organizations are prohibited from accepting money or gifts from tobacco companies, including:
   1. Parties sponsored by tobacco companies or allowing tobacco companies to distribute free, reduced-price, or fully-priced tobacco products (t-shirts, hats, etc.) on campus.
   2. All tobacco advertising, such as billboards and signs owned and used by Catawba College.
      
4. Tobacco advertisements are prohibited in college-run publications and on grounds or facilities, including athletic facilities, owned or used by Catawba College.
   
5. Smoking and the use of tobacco products are prohibited in buildings of Catawba College being used for private events.

Through existing health plans, Employee Assistance Program and community sponsors, Catawba College will consult with appropriate health organizations to provide students and employees with information and access to QuitlineNC at 1-800-QUIT-NOW or www.QuitlineNC.com, 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.

Promotional materials for QuitlineNC and cessation classes, seminars, and support groups shall appear regularly in student and staff publications. They shall be posted in buildings, through Student Affairs and other appropriate means.

All students found in violation of tobacco use inside any building will be subject to the sanctions set forth by the College.

Implementation and Compliance

1. The health and wellness or appropriate committee shall develop a plan for communicating the policy to students, staff, faculty, and visitors. The administration will develop a plan for communicating the policy that may include information in student and employee handbooks, announcements at institutionally-sponsored or related events, and appropriate signage in buildings and around campus.
   
2. Each curriculum and continuing education instructor shall address the College's tobacco-free building policy.
   
3. Coaches of intercollegiate athletic teams will explain the policy at the beginning of each sport's season as a part of the Policies Contract. They shall also communicate the policy to the coaches of visiting teams.
   
4. The college will provide appropriate signage and other physical indicators of our policy.
   
5. Smoking waste management products such as ashtrays shall be removed from undesignated smoking areas.
6. Personal vehicles on College property will not qualify as a designated smoking zone.

Compliance for students: Consequences for students engaging in the prohibited behavior will be provided in accordance with the institution’s sanctions. Students who violate the tobacco-use policy will be processed through established disciplinary protocol. Student violators will be provided with access to up-to-date information on the many consequences of tobacco use, offered techniques that students can use to stop tobacco use, and provided referrals to local youth tobacco cessation programs.

Tobacco Sanctioning Schedule:

• First Offense: Written Warning, Educational Component and Optional Cessation Program.
• Second Offense: $25 Fine, 5 Hours Community Service.
• Third Offense: $50 Fine, 10 Hours Community Service.

Compliance for staff and visitors: Consequences for employees who violate the tobacco use policy will be in accordance with personnel policies of Catawba College and may include verbal warning, written reprimand and/or termination. Visitors using tobacco products in undesignated areas will be asked to refrain while on Catawba College property or leave the premises. College Public Safety officers may be contacted to escort the person off the premises or cite the person for trespassing if the person refuses to leave the school property.

It is the responsibility of each faculty and staff member to promote compliance with the tobacco-free policy in the buildings. Instructors should use tact and good judgment in dealing with possible violations. They should report these violations to the Office of Student Affairs.