Tobacco Use Policy

The North Arkansas College Board of Trustees established a tobacco-free policy prohibiting tobacco use in any form on any college facility, effective October 1, 2005.

In response to the Arkansas Clean Air on Campus Act of 2009, the following comprehensive policy is adopted. North Arkansas College acknowledges and supports the findings of the Surgeon General that tobacco use in any form, active and passive, is a significant health hazard. Northark further recognizes that environmental tobacco smoke has been classified as a Class-A carcinogen. In light of these health risks, and in support of a safe and healthy learning and working environment, Northark adopts this 100 percent tobacco-free campus policy to be implemented on August 1, 2010.

• Smoking or use of any and all tobacco products is prohibited on and in all Northark facilities-all owned or leased properties, and college-owned, leased or rented vehicles. This includes but is not limited to all college sidewalks, parking lots, landscaped areas and recreational areas; at lectures, conferences, concerts, meetings and social and cultural events, athletics events, and graduations held at college facilities.
• Smoking materials must be extinguished and disposed of properly prior to exiting your vehicle. Improper disposal includes but is not limited to:

1. Spitting smokeless tobacco product.
2. Littering (i.e., discarded cigarette butts and tobacco packaging, throwing cigarette butts out of windows, etc.).
3. Anything that creates fire hazard.

• This policy applies to all administrators, faculty, staff, students, clients, contractors and visitors – and any and all persons utilizing campus facilities. The policy is in effect at all times before, during, and after campus hours.
• For the purposes of this policy, tobacco is defined to include any lighted or unlighted cigarette (clove, bidis, kreteks), e-cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, pipes, hookah products, and any other smoking product; and any smokeless, spit or spit less, dissolvable, or inhaled tobacco products, including but not limited to dip, chew, snuff or snus, in any form (orbs, sticks, strips, pellet, etc.).
• The sale of tobacco products or tobacco-related merchandise (including items that display tobacco company logos) is prohibited in and on all college facilities and at all college-sponsored events, regardless of the venue.
• The free distribution or sampling of tobacco products and associated products is prohibited on all college-owned or leased facilities and at college-sponsored events, regardless of the venue.
• Tobacco industry and related company sponsorship of campus events or concerts, including athletic events and athletes, is prohibited.
• Northark shall not accept any direct or indirect funding, gifts or anything else of value from tobacco companies.
• Northark officials, faculty, and staff or other persons representing the campus, including campus organizations, shall not accept money or gifts or enter into any arrangement, association, or partnership with representatives of tobacco companies, including:

1. Sponsorship of campus events by organizations that promote tobacco use and/or allowing them to distribute free, reduced price or fully priced tobacco-related products (shirts, hats, etc.) on campus.
2. All tobacco advertising, such as billboards and signs at athletic events.

• Companies that manufacture tobacco products are excluded from participating in campus career fairs or other vocational or recruitment activities.
• All tobacco promotion, advertising, marketing and distribution are prohibited in and on Northark facilities and in any and all Northark publications.
• Northark shall provide cessation resources information, including the Arkansas Department of Health Free Tobacco Quit line number I-800-QUIT-NOW. Tobacco treatment programs shall be publicized regularly in student and staff publications, through Student Services, and through other appropriate means.
• Implementation and compliance:

1. A campus committee shall develop a plan for communicating this policy to administrators, faculty, staff, students and visitors.
2. This policy shall be included in the student, staff and faculty handbooks, new employee and student orientation programs, in admissions application materials and other campus documents where appropriate. The college shall provide a comprehensive marketing and signage effort to ensure that all college visitors, vendors, guests and other people arriving on facilities owned or leased by North Arkansas College are aware of this tobacco-free policy.
3. Tobacco waste management products such as ashtrays, snus trays, and spittoons shall be removed.
4. Violators of the policy shall be issued a verbal reminder of the policy. If the offense continues, a second verbal warning will be issued. If this warning is ignored, the violator, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of not less than $100 or more than $500. A campus telephone number and e-mail address will be promoted to report violations.

All students, faculty and staff share in the responsibility for adhering to and enforcing this policy which is in compliance with the Arkansas Clean Air on Campus Act of 2009 passed by the Arkansas legislature.