New tobacco free policy at Heartland takes place June 1

[April 23, 2015]  NORMAL – Effective June 1, Heartland Community College will be tobacco free to comply with the Smoke Free Campus Act (110 ILCS 64). The act requires every state-supported institution of higher education to become smoke free by July 1, 2015. The College will implement the policy one month earlier to make the transition smoother for students enrolled in summer classes.

A 2006 Surgeon General’s report determined there is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke and the National Cancer Institute estimates at least 65,000 deaths per year are directly linked to the exposure of secondhand smoke. With that in mind, and to provide a positive experience for all campus patrons, HCC chose to become completely tobacco free. The decision came at the recommendation of the Healthy Hawks Wellness Committee at the College.

For Heartland, being tobacco free means the campus is free from use of all tobacco products including cigarettes, cigars, pipes, beedies, clove cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, dip, chew, snuff and snus. Restrictions also include any other smoking products that appear to be a cigarette or electronic cigarette and any other non-FDA approved nicotine delivery device or product.

Vice President of Business Services and Chair of the Compliance Committee, Doug Minter, commended the Healthy Hawks Wellness Committee for their hard work and effort in getting the policy in place. He mentioned the College is looking forward to creating more healthful learning and working environments. “Two of Heartland’s foundational commitments and enduring goals are to value people and to model stewardship and sustainability,” he said. “Therefore, out of respect for others and the environment, HCC will be a tobacco-free campus.”

Specifically, the policy applies to all facilities and vehicles owned or leased by Heartland Community College; it does not extend to personal motor vehicles. The College currently has resources available to help students and employees who want to kick the tobacco habit through Student Counseling Services and the Human Resources department.

[Becky Gropp, Heartland Community College]