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Tobacco Free Policy

I. PURPOSE

The purpose of this policy and procedure is to provide guidelines for the implementation of a policy on the prohibition of tobacco use on the Lamar State College Orange campus.

II. RATIONALE

Lamar State College Orange seeks to provide a safe, healthy, pleasant environment for its faculty, staff, and students.  Because there are no safe tobacco products, the logical action is to promote a campus that is tobacco free.   To this end, the use of tobacco products shall be prohibited in the Lamar State College Orange campus buildings, grounds, and college vehicles.  The policy extends to faculty, staff, students, vendors, guests, and visitors.  Tobacco use and second-hand smoke have been identified by the Surgeon General to be the cause of preventable diseases.  Lamar State College Orange encourages students, faculty and staff to support and use tobacco cessation programs.  In order to support the health and welfare of visitors of all ages, Lamar State College Orange will be free of tobacco use and second-hand smoke.

III. POLICY

  1. Effective June 1, 2012, the use of tobacco products (including cigarettes, cigars, pipes, smokeless tobacco, and any other items containing or reasonably resembling tobacco or tobacco products) by students, faculty, staff, and visitors are prohibited on all Lamar State College Orange properties.
  2. The use of tobacco products (including cigarettes, cigars, pipes, smokeless tobacco, and any other items containing or reasonably resembling tobacco or tobacco products) is prohibited:
    1. In all interior spaces of all Lamar State College Orange properties;
    2. On all outside property or grounds of the Lamar State College Orange campus* including partially enclosed areas such as walkways, breezeways, and garages;
    3. In Lamar State College Orange vehicles, including all vehicles leased for the purpose of transporting individuals on College business.
  4. The College prohibits the campus-controlled advertising, sale, or free sampling of tobacco products on campus.
  5. Littering the campus with remains of tobacco products or any other disposable product is prohibited.
  6. Organizers and attendees at public events, such as conferences, meetings, public lectures, social events, cultural events and sporting events using Lamar State College Orange facilities will be required to abide by the tobacco-free policy and procedure.  Organizers of such events are responsible for communicating the policy to attendees and for enforcing this policy.
  7. Campus organizations are prohibited from accepting money or gifts from tobacco companies.

*Includes all Brown Center properties

IV. PROCEDURE

  1. EDUCATION AND AWARENESS
    The implementation of this policy is augmented by and education and awareness campaign that may include but not be limited to:
    1. notification to prospective students and staff/faculty hires;
    2. informational meetings, postings, and e-mail notifications;
    3. publication in staff/faculty human resources manuals, student guides and handbooks, and appropriate web sites;
    4. educational campaigns employing classmates and colleagues;
    5. ongoing smoking cessation programs;
    6. establish culture of compliance through peer oversight. 
  3. COMMUNICATION OF POLICY
    Signs bearing the message “Tobacco-Free Campus” will be posted at each of the College vehicular and pedestrian entrances (as applicable), and each building will display a decal that states “Tobacco-Free Facility”.  However, tobacco-free zones apply on all grounds and facilities whether or not signs are posted.  No ashtrays or smoking shelters will be provided on campus.
  4. TOBACCO USE AND CESSATION PROGRAMS
    The College is committed to support all students and employees who wish to stop using tobacco products.  LSCO will consult with appropriate health organization and resources to identify and provide programs and opportunities for students and employees to access support systems, programs, and services that encourage them to abstain from the use of and addiction to tobacco products.
  5. COMPLIANCE
    Adherence to the policy cited above is the responsibility of all Lamar State College Orange students, faculty, staff, and visitors.  It is expected that all students, faculty, staff, and visitors to campus comply with this policy.  Members of our campus community are empowered to respectfully inform others about the policy in an ongoing effort to enhance awareness and encourage a society of compliance.

    An individual who feels that there has been a violation of this procedure may invoke the following actions:
    1. The individual should attempt to resolve the problem informally by requesting that the individual comply with the policy.
    2. If direct appeal fails and the behavior persists, the individual should contact the Office of Human Resources or Office of the Vice President for Student Services for referral to the appropriate administrative official.
    3. Offenses will be dealt with through established administrative/disciplinary policies and procedures.
      1. Students who violate this policy will be handled through the disciplinary process set out in the Student Code of Conduct.
      2. Employees who violate this policy will be referred to their supervisor and shall be handled through the appropriate employee disciplinary process.
      3. Visitors, volunteers, contractors, or other service providers who violate this policy shall be asked to leave campus.

Tobacco Treatment Resources:

  1. The American Lung Association
  2. The American Cancer Society
  3. The Centers for Disease Control
  4. Tobacco Free U
  5. My Last Dip
  6. Kill the Can
  7. Become an Ex
  8. National Cancer Institute’s Quitline—Call 1-800-422-6237 (toll free)
  9. Medline Plus®
  10. Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids
  11. Smokefree
  12. Surgeon General
  13. HelpGuide.org
  14. WhyQuit
  15. Julie Rogers Gift of Life Program
  16. Christus Hospital:
    FRESH START—Tobacco Cessation Program
    Want to stop smoking or stop using tobacco products?  Make a FRESH START!  Fresh Start is a cessation program lead by trained, degreed health care professionals, and is designed to assist anyone who desires to make a fresh start from tobacco.
    TO REGISTER: Call 1-866-683-3627 (toll free)
    COST: This program is offered at no cost!   

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