The Somerset Community College Safety Team with the approval of the SCC Leadership Team has changed the smoking and tobacco use policy to limit smoking and tobacco use to ‘designated areas only’ on all campuses and centers. These designated areas will be well marked at all locations. Previously the policy was 25 feet away from all entrances.

SCC recognizes the dangers of tobacco and second hand smoke to its students, employees and visitors. The United States Surgeon General has concluded that there is no acceptable level of exposure to second hand tobacco smoke. ‘Let’s Clean the Air We Share’ is the slogan for the new smoking and tobacco use policy at SCC.

The smoking policy has been strengthened to also include: penalties for students, employees and visitors that do not comply; enforcement of the penalties; and cessation programs will be open to all students, employees and visitors.

Nancy Powell, SCC Safety Team co-chair said, “Enforcing this policy is possible because the College places value on individual responsibility and leadership. All members of the College, students and employees, are equally responsible for the policy.”

Shawn Stratmann, Safety Team co-chair added, “The policy will be assessed in December of 2011 and if the new policy is not adhered to, all campuses and centers will go ‘Tobacco Free’ next year. All employees will be responsible for enforcing the policy by reminding students, other employees and guests of the policy. In addition, there will be a way to report a violation anonymously through the SCC website.”

The SCC Fitness Center will coordinate cessation programs free to anyone who wishes to participate using the Clayton Cooper Method. This method has shown to be effective and participation also offers discount coupons for cessation products. A schedule of the programs will be sent to all employees and students and will also be available on the SCC website.

To view the entire smoking and tobacco use policy visit the SCC website at http://www.somerset.kctcs.edu/Student_Life.