Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City announced today that the five-campus college district will be tobacco-free, come Aug. 1.
A new policy, approved by MCC’s board of trustees on Thursday, effectively prohibits the use of all tobacco products on any MCC property.
The policy has been under development for about eight months, said MCC Chancellor Mark James.
“MCC is joining a national trend of colleges and universities committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for all students, employees and visitors,” said James. “This is not about dictating human behavior. This policy simply eliminates the danger of second-hand smoke cigarettes on our campuses and facilities and introduces our students to a practice that is becoming the norm in the workplace.”
In part, the policy states: “tobacco and tobacco substitute products…on all campus premises, leased property, and college-owned vehicles is prohibited, with no exceptions. This policy applies to all students, employees, tenants, subtenants, contractors, and visitors.”
Communication to students, employees and others affiliated with the college has been ongoing while the policy was being composed and finalized. As part of the policy implementation, MCC will offer smoking cigarettes cessation assistance to those interested in quitting smoking cigarettes.
Metropolitan Community College comprises MCC-Blue River in Independence, MCC-Business & Technology in Kansas City, MCC-Longview in Lee’s Summit, MCC-Maple Woods in Kansas City north, and MCC-Penn Valley in Kansas City. The college also owns and operates other facilities in addition to the five campuses, including the district’s administrative offices in Midtown; the Pioneer campus, a satellite campus of Penn Valley, on the city’s east side; and the Educational Opportunity Center in Midtown. All facilities are subject to the new policy.
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