MUSCLE SHOALS/PHIL CAMPBELL-Northwest-Shoals Community College
(NW-SCC) will institute a Clean Air Policy on both campuses and become
smoke-free as classes begin for the fall semester, August 19th.
“The college is committed to providing its employees and students with a
Humphrey Lee
safe and healthy environment,” says NW-SCC President Dr. Humphrey Lee.
“Obviously, this is a significant step for the College and one that was
thoroughly discussed.”
“We are constantly looking at ways we can provide our students and employees
with an optimal environment for learning, teaching and working. We feel like
this is another way we can demonstrate the level of commitment we have
toward their health,” stated Lee.
NW-SCC will join a growing number of approximately 1,182 colleges and
universities across the country that has adopted smoke-free policies. The
NW-SCC Clean Air Policy will become effective August 19th. It will prohibit
the use of tobacco smoking products, including the carrying of any lighted
smoking instrument, in College buildings or upon other College premises or
inside College-owned, rented or leased vehicles. The policy does not extend
to personal vehicles. The policy defines a tobacco product as any lighted
cigarette (including electronic cigarettes), cigar, pipe, bidi, clove
cigarette, and any other smoking product.
According to information on the website for the American Cancer Society,
tobacco causes 30% of all cancer deaths. Each year more than 800 adult
non-smokers in Alabama die from exposure to secondhand smoke. Tobacco use is
the single most preventable cause of disease, disability, and death. Of all
smokers, one in three will die prematurely from tobacco use, and among all
smokers, the prevalence by age is highest among college-age people (ages
18-24).
To assist those interested in smoking cessation, the college will provide
information on local resources and community programs and services.
Additionally, the ADPH makes available free smoking cessation patches and
other resources.
MEDIA RELEASE/TRENT RANDOLPH NW-SCC PUBLIC RELATION MANAGER
