I. Policy

General Statutes (G.S. 115D-20.1) give the Central Piedmont Community College Board of Trustees authority to prohibit use of tobacco in Central Piedmont’s buildings, on its grounds and premises, and at College-sponsored events. Central Piedmont is committed to providing its employees, students, and visitors with a safe and healthy environment. The College recognizes that the use of tobacco products on College premises is detrimental to the health and safety of all. To that end, the use of tobacco products will not be permitted at any time on College premises. This policy shall be implemented with an emphasis given upon positive methods of ensuring compliance whenever possible.

II. Definitions

A. Tobacco Products

Tobacco products include smoke-producing products, cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, blunts, pipes, bidis, hookahs, chewing tobacco, dip, smokeless tobacco, snuff, electronic cigarettes or nicotine delivery systems, smokeless devices, vaping or the use of vaping products, or any other items containing or reasonably resembling tobacco or tobacco products.

B. Tobacco Use

Tobacco use includes smoking, chewing, dipping, or any other use of tobacco products.

C. College Premises

Include any College-owned buildings, facilities, or property owned, maintained. or leased by the College, and all areas of the campus; College-owned vehicles; or College-sponsored or hosted classes, lectures, meetings, social, and cultural events held on College property.

III. Regulations

A. Students, employees, visitors, volunteers, contractors, or other persons performing services on behalf of the College shall not be permitted to use any tobacco product at any time while on College premises.

B. The sale or free distribution of tobacco products or merchandise on College premises shall be prohibited.

C. Tobacco advertisements shall be prohibited in College-run publications and on College premises.

IV. Compliance

A. It shall be the responsibility of all Central Piedmont employees and students to comply fully with the policy.

B. Students who repeatedly violate this policy will be handled through the student disciplinary process.

C. Employees who repeatedly violate this policy will be referred to their supervisor. Repeated violations by employees will be handled through the appropriate employee disciplinary process.

D. Visitors, volunteers, contractors, or other service providers who repeatedly violate this policy shall be asked to leave campus, and employing or service provider entities will be notified.

V. Practices

A. Communication

Signage and other forms of communication will be posted in a manner and location to adequately notify students, employees, visitors, volunteers, contractors, or other persons performing services on behalf of the College about this policy.

B. Education

Central Piedmont will consult with appropriate health organizations and resources to identify and provide programs and opportunities for students and employees to gain a greater understanding of the health hazards of tobacco use.

C. Cessation

Central Piedmont will consult with appropriate health organizations 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 tobacco products.

Changes

Changes approved by the Board of Trustees on May 6, 2020

Policy approved by Board of Trustees on September 2, 2009, with effective date of January 2, 2010