PCC administration submits new smoking restriction proposal

Pima Community College may implement a policy to restrict smoking, e-cigarette and tobacco products to designated areas on campus.
PCC administration submitted the proposal to the PCC Governing Board Wednesday night.
Board Policy 2304 limits smoking, e-cigarette and tobacco product use to designated outside areas on PCC property, in order to compliance with the Smoke-Free Arizona Act and related Pima County code provisions and city of Tucson ordinances, officials said.
The administration suggested that the proposed policy replace the current smoking policy, which prohibits smoking in all buildings owned or leased by PCC. Smoking is also not permitted within 25 feet of entrances and exits, fresh-air grills and in other seating areas, such as baseball fields.
According to a campus-wide survey of about 4,700 people, 81 percent indicated they do not smoke; 78 percent supported either the creation of designated smoking areas or prohibiting the use of tobacco products on college property; 70 percent agreed that smokeless tobacco should be banned from inside all buildings; and 21.8 percent supported the current policy.
If the board approves the proposed policy, faculty and staff will help determine designated smoking areas.
The policy will be submitted to the board with a final reading projected for early 2014.