Policy 11-3-15: Tobacco Use Policy

Table of Contents:

1. General Policy
2. Definitions
3. Policy

Section 1: General Policy

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1. Western Nevada College prohibits the use of all tobacco products, alternative nicotine products, and vapor products in all owned, operated, leased, occupied, or controlled College buildings, and structures, grounds, walkways, sidewalks, streets, parking lots, and vehicles.

Section 2: Definitions

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1. Alternative nicotine product means any noncombustible product containing nicotine that is intended for human consumption, whether chewed, absorbed, dissolved or ingested by any other means. The term does not include any product regulated by the United States Food and Drug Administration pursuant to Subchapter V of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, 21 U.S.C. 351 et seq. (NRS 202.2485(1).)

   Government building means any building or office space owned or occupied by any component of the Nevada System of Higher Education and used for any purpose related to the System. (NRS 202.2483(12)(e).)

   Smoking means inhaling, exhaling, burning, or carrying any lighted or heated cigar, cigarette, or pipe, including a hookah pipe, or any other lighted or heated tobacco or plant product, including marijuana, intended for inhalation, in any manner or in any form. Smoking also includes the use of an e-cigarette which creates a vapor, in any manner or in any form, or the use of any oral smoking device for the purpose of circumventing the prohibition of smoking in designated outdoor areas only in this policy. (Model Policy for a Tobacco-Free College/University.)

   Vapor product means any noncombustible product containing nicotine that employs a heating element, power source, electronic circuit or other electronic, chemical or mechanical means, regardless of the shape or size thereof, that can be used to produce vapor from nicotine in a solution or other form. Vapor product includes, without limitation, (1) an electronic cigarette, cigar, cigarillo or pipe or a similar product or device; and (2) a vapor cartridge or other container of nicotine in a solution or other form that is intended to be used with or in an electronic cigarette, cigar, cigarillo or pipe or a similar product or device. Vapor product does not include any product regulated by the United States Food and Drug Administration pursuant to Subchapter V of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, 21 U.S.C. 351 et seq. (NRS 202.2485(5).)

Section 3: Policy

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1. Western Nevada Colleges mission and themes are best achieved in an environment that promotes a healthy lifestyle among students, faculty, and staff. WNC is committed to providing a safe and healthy working and learning environment at its campuses. The use of tobacco products and the exposure to second-hand smoke are inconsistent with such a commitment. Accordingly, this tobacco-free policy prohibits the use of tobacco products, including alternative nicotine products and vapor products, on all WNC property. Pursuant to the Nevada Clean Indoor Air Act, NRS 202.2483, smoking tobacco in any form is prohibited within indoor places of employment, including government buildings and public places. Western Nevada College campus buildings are government buildings. The Act also provides that, in areas where smoking is not prohibited by law, nothing in state law prohibits the owners of such areas from voluntarily creating nonsmoking sections or designating the entire establishment as smoke free. Western Nevada Colleges policy prohibits the smoking of tobacco and the use of alternative nicotine products and vapor products on all WNC property.
2. The posting of signs prohibiting smoking constitutes an order to students, faculty, and staff not to use tobacco products.
3. Repeated violations of such an order could constitute insubordination, which conduct would provide the basis for imposition of a disciplinary sanction against students, faculty, and staff pursuant to the rules governing their attendance or employment at WNC.

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