As of Fall Semester, 2011, Gavilan College is a
smoke-and-tobacco-free learning environment. Smoking and use of
tobacco products and non-FDA approved nicotine delivery systems
(such as
”
e-cigs
”
) are prohibited on all areas of campus, except for designated
smoking areas. Free smoking-cessation counseling and FDA-approved
nicotine replacement therapy can be obtained through the office of
Student Health, through a partnership with Breathe California.
As of Fall Semester, 2011, Gavilan College is a smoke-and-tobacco-free learning environment. Smoking and use of tobacco products and non-FDA approved nicotine delivery systems (such as “e-cigs”) are prohibited on all areas of campus, except for designated smoking areas. Free smoking-cessation counseling and FDA-approved nicotine replacement therapy can be obtained through the office of Student Health, through a partnership with Breathe California.
The new policy was approved by the Gavilan College Board of Trustees at their June meeting, following years of discussion, surveys, and planning by students and student groups to restrict smoking on campus. Student Health nurse Alice Dufresne-Reyes, has been a champion for the new policy. “This moves our campus to significantly better health,” she said pointing out that second-hand smoke is particularly dangerous for people with asthma and other breathing difficulties.
Approximately three years ago, the Associated Student Body raised the concern of smoking on campus, through an appeal to the Health, Safety, Facilities and Grounds Committee. This led to the creation of a Smoking / Tobacco Cessation Task Force with strong student involvement, which met monthly to study the issue, create the policy, and advocate throughout the campus community.
In September 2010, Gavilan College was identified by the Santa Clara County Department of Public Health (SCCPHD) as one of the five schools of higher learning in Santa Clara County that would receive additional training, and health education materials supporting a smoking cessation policy. Gavilan College was the only community college identified in this proposal. ( The remaining community colleges in Santa Clara County already had created smoking control policies.) The California Youth Advocacy Network received grant funding from SCCPHD to provide training and materials for the task force members, and attended the monthly meetings.
Smoking is now prohibited in any campus location that is not specifically designated as a smoking area. Five designated smoking areas have been created in the campus parking lots. Each is marked with a sign, blocked off to traffic, and contains a fire-safe container for cigarette butts. The lots with smoking areas are shown on campus maps.
