/Institutions/Vernon-College/json/2023-2024/Employee-Handbook-local.json

/Institutions/Vernon-College/json/2023-2024/Employee-Handbook.json

Appendix S: Tobacco Use Policy

Use of Tobacco Products

Date Adopted/Most Recent Revision: 06/18/2014

A. Policy

Vernon College seeks to provide a safe, healthy, pleasant environment for its faculty, staff, and students. To this end, the use of tobacco products, including smoke and smokeless tobacco products shall be prohibited in all indoor and outdoor facilities and in all college vehicles, except in designated areas. The advertising, sale, free distribution, and discarding of tobacco products shall be prohibited in all indoor and outdoor facilities. The policy extends to faculty, staff, students, vendors, guests, and visitors.

B. Specifications

1. “Use of tobacco products” shall include:
   1. possession of a lighted tobacco product;
   2. use of smokeless tobacco products; and
   3. use of e-cigarettes and other tobacco derived products.
2. “Indoor and outdoor facilities and college vehicles” shall include:
   1. all buildings and facilities owned or leased by Vernon College;
   2. all outdoor areas owned or leased by Vernon College, including the grounds of the Main Campus, Century City Center and Skills Training (except in designated areas);
   3. all college-owned or leased vehicles, including cars, pick-up trucks, vans, buses, and carts.
3. Exceptions: With prior approval, theatre productions may be exempt from this policy when the use of simulated smoke or tobacco products is integral to a production or performance.

C. Enforcement

1. It is the responsibility of all members of the campus community and campus visitors to observe the provisions of this policy.
2. It is the responsibility of all students, faculty, staff, and campus visitors to uphold the honor of the college by affirming its commitment to this policy.
3. Courtesy and consideration will be exercised when informing violators of this policy. No person will be retaliated against for informing others of the policy or asking others to comply with the policy.
4. A complaint against a violator, who fails to comply with the policy after being asked by another to do so, may be referred to the President, Vice-President, or director. Appropriate disciplinary action may be applied to a violator against whom multiple complaints have been received.