By Erik Squire
Education Major
Whether you read about it or heard it from a friend, by now you’re probably aware of the campus-wide tobacco ban. The policy prohibiting the use of “any tobacco” is set to go into effect August 1, 2015.

This isn’t just an SMCC thing; in fact, we’re a bit behind the curve when it comes to a tobacco-free campus. In 2013 the Maine Community College System Board of Trustees voted to phase out tobacco use in all seven of its colleges. So far, five of the community colleges and all seven of Maine’s public universities have transitioned to tobacco-free.

If you are unclear what qualifies as unpermitted tobacco use, this is what the policy states: For purposes of this policy, “tobacco” is defined to include any cigarette, cigar or other smoking tobacco as well as smokeless tobacco, dip, chew or snuff in any form. This includes any electronic smoking device that produces vapor of any kind.

The policy also plainly lays out where the use of tobacco is unacceptable, which is virtually everywhere: Pursuant to the tobacco-free policy, smoking, or any other use of tobacco products described above, is not permitted in or on any college facilities including buildings, parking lots and college grounds, or in any vehicles on property owned or leased by the college. Failure to comply with the policy could result in progressive discipline or referral for disciplinary action under the student code of conduct.

President Cantor remarked, “Clearly there are a lot of logistics that go into implementing a policy of this nature. Because of this, the Planning and Safety Committee has pulled together a team of volunteers (consisting of those who smoke and those who don’t) to create a Tobacco-Free Subcommittee. The Subcommittee will direct our transition as smoothly and proficiently as possible. They are currently working on three fronts: Drafting a policy, creating a communication plan, and providing cessation support for students, faculty and staff who choose to quit smoking.” President Cantor doesn’t want this to be a closed process; he openly invites all of SMCC’s community to be involved in this giant leap. He states: As we comply with the Trustees’ resolution each of us has many opportunities to review and comment on draft plans and documents, and participate in discussions at the College Planning and Safety Committee, the College Council, the College Forum, and other venues. Our governance system is open and transparent—I urge you to engage.

Whether you’re for or against the tobacco ban, it’s important to realize that it will happen regardless. It would be most beneficial to seek help if you’re a smoker and want to quit and it’s also paramount to be there for your friends who want to break the habit. Let’s all work together to get through the transition of this policy.