Tobacco Use Prohibited

All tobacco products or products that resemble the use of tobacco are prohibited. Tobacco products are defined to include but are not limited to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, e-cigar, e-pipe, e-hookah, vape pen, other types of smoking devices, candy cigarettes, chewing tobacco, hookah, blunts, blunt wraps, pre-wrapped blunt cones & tubes, cigars, cigarillos, bidis, pipes, cigarette packages or smokeless tobacco containers, lighters, ash trays, key chains, t-shirts, coffee mugs, and any other items containing or reasonably resembling tobacco or tobacco products. Tobacco use includes smoking, chewing, dipping, electronic smoking devices or any other use of tobacco products shall not be permitted in any enclosed place, including, but not limited to, all offices, classrooms, hallways, waiting rooms, restrooms, meeting rooms, community areas, performance venues and private residential space within Chattahoochee Technical College housing. Smoking and the use of tobacco products shall also be prohibited outdoors on all Chattahoochee Technical College campus property, including, but not limited to, parking lots, paths, fields, sports/recreational areas, and stadiums, as well as in all personal vehicles while on campus 24 hours per day/7 days a week. This policy applies to all students, faculty, staff, visitors, and vendors.

Promotion of Smoking and Tobacco Products

In further recognition of the incompatibility of Chattahoochee Technical College’s educational mission and the promotion of tobacco products, effective January 1, 2022, no tobacco-related advertising or sponsorship shall be permitted on college property, at sponsored events, or in publications produced by the college.

For the purposes of this policy, “tobacco-related” applies to the use of a tobacco brand or corporate name, trademark, logo, symbol, or motto, selling message, recognizable pattern or colors, or any other indicia of a product identical to or similar to, or identifiable with, those used for any brand of tobacco products or company which manufactures tobacco products.

No ashtrays shall be provided at any location on campus. Cigarettes shall not be sold on college grounds, either in vending machines, the student union, or any area on campus.

Signage

Copies of this policy shall be distributed to all faculty and staff and shall be included with the information given to all admitted students. Announcements shall also be printed in campus announcements to insure everyone understands the policy.  Information about the policy and how to comply with it shall also be posted on the Chattahoochee Technical College website.

Transition Period

This policy is being announced three months prior to its implementation in order to give tobacco users time to adapt to its restrictions and to facilitate a smooth transition to a tobacco-free environment. On-site tobacco cessation programs shall be made available to assist and encourage individuals who wish to quit smoking. Questions and problems regarding this policy should be handled through existing departmental administrative channels and administrative procedures.

Opportunities for Cessation

The administration will identify and/or offer programs and services for students who are ready to quit tobacco use. The administration will identify and/or offer programs and services for college staff that use tobacco products to support them in complying with the policy that prohibits tobacco use on university grounds and during university-related events.

Enforcement for Students

Students who violate the college’s tobacco use policy will be referred to the Student Conduct Officer to proceed with the conduct process according to the Student Code of Conduct.

Enforcement for Staff, Visitors, and Vendors.

Consequences for employees who violate the tobacco use policy will be in accordance with personnel positive discipline policies and may include verbal warning, written reprimand, or termination. Visitors and vendors using tobacco products will be asked to refrain while on school property or leave the premises. If they refuse, law enforcement officers will be contacted to escort the person off the premises or cite the person for trespassing in case the person refuses to leave the school property. In the case of a violation within the building of a school, the person is in violation of the Georgia Smokefree Air Act of 2005 (O.C.G.A. 31-`2a-1 et seq.). Signage will be prominently posted in all visitors’ and vendors’ areas and college and university staff and officials will communicate the policy to visitors and vendors upon arrival and infractions.

Enforcement at Outdoor School Sponsored Events on and off Campus Grounds

All outdoor school-sponsored events on and off campus grounds (ex. events, meetings, or functions by community groups renting college property) must be tobacco-free. This policy must be clearly stated in all contracts, correspondence, and verbal and written announcements to all attendees, visitors, vendors, and contractors.

To view the full policy, visit the College Catalog.