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Tobacco Policy

CCC = Tobacco-Free

On August 16, 2010, when we kicked off our fall semester, Calhoun Community College became the first public college/university in the State of Alabama to be a completely Tobacco-Free Campus (see news release). Wrist bands were distributed to students, faculty and staff allowing them to show their pride and support of this endeavor. Our Tobacco-Free Policy is listed below.

Tobacco-Free Policy

Calhoun Community College is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for its employees, students and visitors. The College recognizes the right of persons to make their own decisions about their personal use of tobacco products away from the College. However, in light of findings of the U.S. Surgeon General that exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke and use of tobacco products are significant health hazards, it is the intent of the College to establish a tobacco-free environment on its campuses and in its vehicles. Consequently, the use, distribution, or sale of tobacco products, including the carrying of any lighted smoking instrument, in College buildings or in or upon other College premises or inside College-owned, rented or leased vehicles, is prohibited.

For the purposes of this policy, a “tobacco product” is defined to include any lighted or unlighted cigarette (including electronic cigarettes), cigar, pipe, bidi, clove cigarette, and any other smoking product, as well as 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. Any College employee or student found to be in violation of the tobacco-free policy will be subject to a monetary fine. Tickets will be issued by campus police officer for violations of Calhoun’s tobacco-free policy. Monetary fines will be imposed as listed below, depending on whether the offender is an employee or student.

Any visitor or contractor found to be violating this policy shall be asked to discontinue the disallowed activity, and any failure by a visitor or contractor to discontinue the disallowed activity after being requested to do so shall result in the visitor or contractor being escorted off the college premises by campus police.

Student Fines

  • Any Calhoun student found to have violated this policy shall be subject to the following fines:

    • 1st ticket – Warning
    • 2nd ticket – $25.00 fine
  • All fines must be paid within 7 days of ticketing. Fines that are not paid within the 7 days shall automatically double in amount.
  • A student who has a pending fine or fines may not register for classes nor have transcripts released until all fines are paid in full.
  • Any student wishing to appeal a fine arising from the finding of a tobacco-free violation under this policy may do so with the Dean for Students Affairs.

Employee Fines

  • Any Calhoun employee found to have violated this policy shall be subject to the following fines:

    • 1st ticket – Warning
    • 2nd ticket – $25.00 fine
  • All fines must be paid within 7 days of ticketing. Fines that are not paid within the 7 days shall automatically double in amount.
  • Any employee wishing to appeal a fine arising from the finding of a violation of this policy may do so with the Vice President for Instruction and Student Success.

With the exception of advertising in a newspaper, magazine, or similar publication that is not produced by Calhoun College, no tobacco-related advertising or sponsorship shall be permitted on Calhoun Community College property or at college-sponsored events. No tobacco-related advertising or sponsorship shall appear in any publication s produced by the College or by any club or association authorized by Calhoun Community College. For the purposes of this policy, the term “tobacco-related” applies to the use of a tobacco brand or corporate name, trademark, logo, symbol or motto, selling message, recognizable pattern of colors or any other indicia of product identification identical to or similar to, or identifiable with, those used for any brand of tobacco products or company which manufactures tobacco products.

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. The College will also endeavor to have information available for its students and employees on community programs or services related to helping persons stop the use of tobacco products.