Tobacco Guidelines
(revised April 2011)
York Technical College has a responsibility to provide a safe and healthful environment.
In response to feedback from students, faculty, and staff, the College revised the tobacco-use
guidelines.
New Guideline: Effective September 1, 2010, York Technical College prohibits the use of all tobacco products, in any form, except in personal vehicles. Individuals must be sitting in the passenger compartment of a personal vehicle to be in compliance with the guidelines.
Clarification of Prohibited Areas: Specifically, tobacco use is prohibited in all campus buildings, including classrooms, laboratories, shops, offices, work areas, study areas, reception areas, meeting rooms, lobbies, hallways, stairwells, elevators, eating areas, lounges, restrooms and in all partially enclosed areas such as covered walkways. Additionally, smoking is prohibited on campus grounds (except in personal vehicles), on public highway right-of ways, at all off-campus centers, at off-campus college-sponsored activities and in all York Technical College vehicles.
Definition of Tobacco Products: Tobacco products include, but are not limited to, cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and smokeless tobacco.
Disposal: Ashtrays and smoking shelters will not be provided on campus grounds. Prospects, students, and employees are expected to dispose of the residue from their tobacco products safely and appropriately in their vehicles.
Littering: Individuals who are caught littering will be issued a warning citation or a fine at the discretion of the Public Safety Officers.
Monitoring: Public Safety and other employees of the College will advise individuals who are not in compliance with the College’s tobacco-use guidelines to dispose of their tobacco products appropriately. Any observed student violations of the tobacco-use guidelines should be reported immediately to the Public Safety Office (803) 327-8013. Any observed employee violations should be reported to the employee’s direct supervisor.
Warnings: Visitors on campus will be issued warning citations if they violate the tobacco-use guidelines. Students and employees may be issued warning citations or fines at the discretion of the Public Safety Officers.
Violations: South Carolina’s Clean Indoor Air Act of 1990 cites violation of the act as a misdemeanor which, upon conviction, results in a fine. Tobacco use in prohibited areas is also punishable by fines and/or disciplinary action.
Fines: Violations may result in the individual being fined $25 for each offense at the discretion of the Public Safety Office.
Disciplinary Action: Students who habitually violate the tobacco-use guidelines or who engage in disrespectful conduct towards a Public Safety Officer or an employee enforcing the tobacco-use guidelines will be referred to the Dean for Students Office for possible disciplinary action. Employees who habitually violate the tobacco-use guidelines will be referred to their supervisors for progressive disciplinary action.
Cooperation: Effective implementation of these guidelines depends upon the courtesy, respect, and cooperation of all members of the York Technical College community.
Educational Programs: York Technical College will provide programs to help students and employees stop using tobacco products. These tobacco treatment programs will be publicized on the College’s website and in student and employee communications.
Comments: If you have questions, comments, or concerns regarding this information, please contact Kelli Dawkins, Dean for Students, at kdawkins@yorktech.edu.
For more information as well as free programs and resources to help you stop using tobacco, visit http://www.scdhec.gov/health/chcdp/tobacco/quitforkeeps.htm.
New Guideline: Effective September 1, 2010, York Technical College prohibits the use of all tobacco products, in any form, except in personal vehicles. Individuals must be sitting in the passenger compartment of a personal vehicle to be in compliance with the guidelines.
Clarification of Prohibited Areas: Specifically, tobacco use is prohibited in all campus buildings, including classrooms, laboratories, shops, offices, work areas, study areas, reception areas, meeting rooms, lobbies, hallways, stairwells, elevators, eating areas, lounges, restrooms and in all partially enclosed areas such as covered walkways. Additionally, smoking is prohibited on campus grounds (except in personal vehicles), on public highway right-of ways, at all off-campus centers, at off-campus college-sponsored activities and in all York Technical College vehicles.
Definition of Tobacco Products: Tobacco products include, but are not limited to, cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and smokeless tobacco.
Disposal: Ashtrays and smoking shelters will not be provided on campus grounds. Prospects, students, and employees are expected to dispose of the residue from their tobacco products safely and appropriately in their vehicles.
Littering: Individuals who are caught littering will be issued a warning citation or a fine at the discretion of the Public Safety Officers.
Monitoring: Public Safety and other employees of the College will advise individuals who are not in compliance with the College’s tobacco-use guidelines to dispose of their tobacco products appropriately. Any observed student violations of the tobacco-use guidelines should be reported immediately to the Public Safety Office (803) 327-8013. Any observed employee violations should be reported to the employee’s direct supervisor.
Warnings: Visitors on campus will be issued warning citations if they violate the tobacco-use guidelines. Students and employees may be issued warning citations or fines at the discretion of the Public Safety Officers.
Violations: South Carolina’s Clean Indoor Air Act of 1990 cites violation of the act as a misdemeanor which, upon conviction, results in a fine. Tobacco use in prohibited areas is also punishable by fines and/or disciplinary action.
Fines: Violations may result in the individual being fined $25 for each offense at the discretion of the Public Safety Office.
Disciplinary Action: Students who habitually violate the tobacco-use guidelines or who engage in disrespectful conduct towards a Public Safety Officer or an employee enforcing the tobacco-use guidelines will be referred to the Dean for Students Office for possible disciplinary action. Employees who habitually violate the tobacco-use guidelines will be referred to their supervisors for progressive disciplinary action.
Cooperation: Effective implementation of these guidelines depends upon the courtesy, respect, and cooperation of all members of the York Technical College community.
Educational Programs: York Technical College will provide programs to help students and employees stop using tobacco products. These tobacco treatment programs will be publicized on the College’s website and in student and employee communications.
Comments: If you have questions, comments, or concerns regarding this information, please contact Kelli Dawkins, Dean for Students, at kdawkins@yorktech.edu.
For more information as well as free programs and resources to help you stop using tobacco, visit http://www.scdhec.gov/health/chcdp/tobacco/quitforkeeps.htm.