Tobacco Free Policy

Danville Area Community College is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for its employees, students, and visitors.  In light of the findings of the US Surgeon General that exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke and use of tobacco are significant health hazards, it is the intent of the Board to establish a tobacco-free environment, effective August 1, 2012.  Consequently, use, distribution, or sale of tobacco, including any smoking device, faux-smoking devices (for example e-cigarettes or vapors), or carrying of any lighted smoking instrument, in college buildings or on college premises without exception, at events on college premises, or in college-owned, rented or leased vehicles, is prohibited.

For the purpose of this policy, “tobacco” is defined to include any lighted or unlighted cigarette, cigar, pipe, bidi, clove cigarette, hookah, e-cigarettes, vapors, and any other smoking products; and smokeless or spit tobacco, also known as dip, chew, snuff or snus, in any form.

All college employees, students, visitors, and contractors are required to comply with this policy, which shall remain in force at all times.  The Board, or its designees, shall set and approve fair and uniform fines for violations of these rules and shall provide adequate means for the enforcement and collection of such fines.  (See Procedure below.)

No tobacco-related advertising or sponsorship shall be permitted on Danville Area Community College property, at college-sponsored events, or in publications produced by the college, with the exception of advertising in a newspaper or magazine that is not produced by Danville Area Community College and which is lawfully sold, bought or distributed on campus property.

The College President will develop administrative regulations and procedures as necessary to implement this policy, including provisions for notification, signage, disciplinary consequences, complaint procedures and enforcement.

Procedures will be developed to offer or promote prevention and education initiatives that actively support non-use and address the risks of all forms of tobacco use.  Procedures will also be developed to offer or promote programs and services that include practical evidence-based approaches to end tobacco use for students and employees who want to quit.

PROCEDURE

Fines and Penalties

1. There shall be due and owing to the College as a fine for violations of the Tobacco Free Policy, the following amounts:
   1. An oral reminder for the first violation within the calendar year;
   2. A written warning for the second violation within the calendar year;
   3. $10.00 for the third violation within the calendar year;
   4. $15.00 for the fourth and each subsequent violation committed within the calendar year.
2. Payment of all fines as specified herein must be received at the designated location for payment of fines within 10 calendar days of the date of mailing the Notice as provided herein.
3. Any student to whom one or more Notice(s) of Violation have been sent/and for which timely payment has not been received by the College shall have a hold notice placed upon said student’s records and no further course registration, grade report, transcript or other record function shall be taken until all amounts due from said student for violations of the Tobacco Free Policy have been paid in full.