November 17, 2015 – Dutchess Community College will become a tobacco-free campus beginning May 31, 2016.
The policy will prohibit the use of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco,
pipes, vaping, snus, dip and all related products on college property.
“We know that almost 23% of college-age students smoke, and that is almost double
the rate of high school students,” said Dr. Pamela Edington, DCC president. “We’re
committed to doing our part to reverse this trend, and creating a campus environment
that’s healthier for all.”
DCC’s plan will support the Tobacco-Free SUNY initiative. More than half of the community
colleges in New York state have gone smoke-free, and virtually all others are implementing
the program. More than one-third of all colleges in the state are tobacco- or smoke-free.
A task force of volunteers from the campus community, with student, faculty and staff
representation, is working to facilitate the transition and ensure that education
and other resources are available to help those who wish to stop smoking. The College
also is working with state partners at the local Tobacco-Free Action Communities coalition
to make progress over the coming year.
DCC will kick off its Tobacco-Free initiative on Thursday, Nov. 19 to coincide with
the American Cancer Society’s Great American Smokeout.
According to the American Cancer Society, 42 million Americans smoke, and tobacco
use remains the largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the U.S.
For more about Tobacco-Free DCC, click here.
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