Tobacco Policy

For the 2008-09 school year, smoking will be permitted only in designated, exterior areas on all campuses and centers. In fall 2009, all college campuses and centers will become tobacco-free as declared in board policy B 709.

Smoking at Portland Community College

The United States Surgeon General has presented evidence of the health risks associated with smoking and the use of tobacco products, including the smokeless or "spit" tobacco, as well as the risks that exposure to second-hand smoke has on healthy non-smokers.

Portland Community College is committed to providing a healthy environment for its employees, students and visitors, and it shall be the continued policy that smoking be prohibited within all college-owned and/or operated facilities and vehicles. The rule also applies to privately owned vehicles parked on college property. For the 2008-09 school year, smoking will be permitted only in designated, exterior smoking areas. By fall 2009, the designated areas will be removed and the use of tobacco products will be banned at all campuses and centers.

Rules and Procedures

The Smoking Policy Rules and Procedures have been reviewed and approved for recommendation by the Health and Safety Advisory Committee, Physical Plant and Administrative personnel of each campus/center. In addition to personal health and safety, the Smoking Policy Rules & Procedures provide administrative consistency regarding printed information, signage, physical structures and receptacles related to smoking areas.

Locating and Identifying Designated Smoking Areas

The temporary Designated Smoking Areas will include signs, noting their purpose. These areas will be highlighted on campus maps, which shall be made available for employees, students, vendors and visitors.

Maps:

A facility map shall be available in a prominent and easily accessed area showing the Designated Smoking Areas for that facility. Facility maps provided online for primary campuses and centers shall indicate the location of designated smoking areas.

Signs:

The principal entrances and exits to any facility or part of a facility shall have signs informing individuals that the Smoking Policy Rules and Procedures prohibit smoking except in Designated Smoking Areas. The absence of such signs at any PCC facility does not affect the general prohibition against smoking.

  • A sign depicting a cigarette enclosed with a green circle and accompanied by the text "College Policy Allows Smoking in Designated Areas Only" shall be posted at all facility entrances as stipulated in this policy.

  • A sign depicting a cigarette enclosed with a green circle, and accompanied by the text "Smoking Permitted" shall be used to identify each Designated Smoking Area.

Education

  • College employees shall be advised of the Smoking Policy Rules and Procedures via e-mail notices, fliers, new employee orientation sessions and the annual classified retreat.

  • Kiosks shall be strategically placed at facilities with Smoking Policy Rules & Procedures information available in the form of fliers and pamphlets;

  • Smoking Rules and Procedures shall be printed in various college publications, including the class schedule, handbooks and the PCC Communities magazine. This webpage (accessible at www.pcc.edu/tobbacofree) will be maintained for both internal and external audiences.

  • The PCC External Page, Students Rights and Responsibilities, shall include a link to the Smoking Policy Rules and Procedures. Students shall be advised at the time of enrollment that smoking is not permitted in any college facility or vehicle. For the 2008-09 school year, they shall be advised of the facility Designated Smoking Areas.

  • Visitors and vendors shall be advised of the Smoking Policy Rules and Procedures with any contractual agreement and/or use of any college-owned or operated facility.

Compliance

All PCC employees, students, visitors and vendors are required to comply with the Smoking Policy Rules and Procedures. All PCC staff and faculty, with the support of Public Safety, will help enforce the Smoking Policy Rules & Procedures.

Smoking Cessation Programs

PCC shall provide information about the Oregon Quit Line to staff, faculty, and students who request assistance to stop smoking or using other tobacco products. An Employee Assistance Program is available for college employees and their dependents.

Other resources for smoking cessation include:

  • Oregon Tobacco Quit Line: (800) 270-STOP
  • Oregon Tobacco Quit Line, en Español: (877) 2-NO-FUME
  • PCC Employee Assistance Program (for eligible employees): (800) 433-2320

Public Events

Visitors, vendors and contractors shall be advised on all tender documents and contracts that smoking is not permitted in any college-owned facility or vehicle.

Legislative Rules and Regulations

Rules and regulations are incorporated into the Smoking Policy Rules and Procedures based on the following organizational requirements:

  • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA 1992)
  • U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (1986)
  • Oregon's Smoke Free Workplace Law
  • Oregon's Public Health Services