The tobacco-free policy began enforcement at all Alamo Community Colleges on Sept. 1.
“Smoking shall be prohibited…on all property…owned, leased, rented or otherwise under the control of the College District,” reads the policy that was approved by the ACC Board of Trustees a year ago.
Students, faculty and staff who attend and/or work at any of the ACC colleges are not permitted to smoke while on campus.
“It’s a health issue,” said Dr. Adolfo “Sonny” Barrera, Vice President of Student Affairs. “Restaurants and public places have made a movement nationwide with the same initiative.”
Barrera said the ACC Board and Student Government members are looking for the best way to move forward with an awareness campaign of the new policy.
Those who disagree with the tobacco-free policy say it is against their rights. Social Work major Richard McGraw said, “We can smoke [or] drink. It is our bodies. If we want to pollute our lungs, let us pollute our lungs.”
According to the American Lung Association, second-hand smoke cause approximately 3,400 lung cancer deaths and 46,000 heart disease deaths in adult nonsmokers in the United States each year.
“Nonsmokers have just as much a right and freedom for clean air,” said Dr. Lance Sandberg, a Biology professor.
Kimberly Ramos, a Nursing major, said she tries to stay away from smokers whenever she can because of the harm caused by second-hand smoke.
Students, faculty or staff caught smoking on any ACC property will be given a citation with a fee of $12. The fine will increase to $18 if it is not paid within 10 days, and non-payment can lead to a hold of transcripts and registration. No warnings, only citations, will be issued.
Lauren Hernandez, a 19-year-old Music and Voice major, said, “If they had a designated area where we could go, I would have no problem. We pay our tuition like everyone else.”
Barrera said if a number of students request how-to-stop smoking seminars from Palo Alto’s Counseling Department, then they may put something together. Contact Barrera at (210) 921-5118.