PCC’s Health and Safety Committee is sponsoring an awareness campaign on Welcome Day to educate the PCC community about the campus smoking policy.The emphasis of the campaign will be on bringing attention to the current policy and its enforcement.
“Our focus is on awareness and enforcing current policy,” said Daisy Ung, senior clerk for Student Health Services.
The campaign titled ‘No Buts, No Butts.’ will help bring attention to District Policy No. 5575, which says outdoor smoking is prohibited within 20 feet of any District-owned/occupied building and/or any space where food is served, and the perimeter of any District-owned/occupied outdoor athletic venue.
Currently, there is a warning system in effect, but according to the Health and Safety Committee, PCC will begin issuing citations for violations beginning in January 2009.
Some students were enthusiastic about this plan to enforce the rules.
English major Amy Kim had a unique perspective.
“If you want to die, go ahead. It’s your life. Who cares? But pass this line and you’re dead,” said Kim.
The citation amount has not yet been determined.
“The cost of the citations has not been discussed by the college yet, but it should be minimal and affordable,” said PCC Police Lt. Brad Young.
As far as who will be writing the tickets, Young said: “Only police officers will be writing citations.”
Cadets will not have the authority to issue these citations.
The Associated Students is also involved with this campaign and is part of the Health and Safety Committee.
“We think it’s an amazing campaign because we’re bringing awareness to students about the policies we are enforcing,” said Cristina Abadia, Vice President of Cultural Diversity.
The Student Health Services center is playing an active role in the campaign and also has smoking cessation counseling services for students who want to quit smoking.
“For students who want to quit smoking, we have free counseling and free nicotine replacement aids,” said Jo Buczko, coordinator for Student Health Services.
The Student Health center will be a one-stop shop for many student needs such as prophylactics and nicotine gum.
Earlier this year at a Board of Trustees joint meeting with the AS, it was reported that the Inter-Club Council (which represents more than 30 student organizations) voted in support of a smoke-free campus.
Alex Stamatis, 20, takes a smoke break on campus Thursday. (Jeremy Balan)
- EDITORIAL: Apologize about the real problem - April 23, 2014
- STATEMENT: District apologizes to Oscar winning alum - April 21, 2014
- EDITORIAL: The Forgotten Students - March 26, 2014
