By Kenia Cabahug
Staff Writer
Cal State Dominguez Hills became tobacco-, smoke- and vape-free on Sept. 1.
The ban is part of the “Breathe Freely” directive by the California State University to snuff out smoking, vaping, dipping, chewing and related practices on every campus.
Smoking previously was allowed in designated outdoor areas, but now it’s not allowed on any CSU campus.
The decision came from the CSU Chancellor’s Office in Long Beach.
William Franklin, vice president for student affairs at Dominguez Hills, explained the new policy and its origins in a question-and-answer session with The Bulletin.
The Bulletin: Please tell us more regarding CSUDH’s new campaign, “Breathe Freely.”
Franklin: The CSU chancellor issued Executive Order 1108 policy on the systemwide smoke- and tobacco-free environment. Consistent with the policy, on Aug. 4 a formal announcement was made by President (Willie) Hagan that CSUDH will be a smoke-free and tobacco-free campus, effective Sept. 1, 2017.
Smoke-free means that the use of cigarettes, pipes, cigars and other smoke-emanating products, including e-cigarettes, vapor devices and other like products, will be prohibited on all university property, including the Tobacco-free means that any product containing, made of or derived from tobacco or nicotine that is intended for human consumption, whether smoked, heated, chewed, absorbed, dissolved, inhaled, snorted, sniffed or ingested by any other means will also be prohibited on all university property, including the parking lots. To view the full policy, visit calstate.edu/eo/EO-1108.html.
The Bulletin: Is this a statewide policy?
Franklin: This is a CSU, systemwide policy, meaning all 23 campuses in the CSU are now smoke- and tobacco-free.
The Bulletin: Who will be monitoring the campus?
Franklin: As the executive order notes, ‘University Police shall reserve all enforcement authority with regards to any violation of existing state and federal law.’ However, our main focus over the next few months will be on educational campaigns, outreach, communication and the promotion of tobacco-cessation treatment options. Those will be the primary means to promote compliance.
A comprehensive education and outreach campaign, including resources and referrals for cessation, will be made available as part of campus implementation programs.
The Bulletin: Will there be consequences for students, staff, faculty who are caught smoking or vaping?
Franklin: In the coming weeks and months, the Smoke and Tobacco Free Committee will be meeting with the other CSU campuses and working with an organization called CYAN (California Youth Action Network) to talk about building quality educational campaigns and discussing enforcement options.
The Bulletin: Are there going to be any school events to promote Breathe Freely?
Franklin: In establishing a culture of support around Breathe Freely, Cal State Dominguez Hills seeks to empower every student, staff and faculty member about their role in supporting someone who has a desire to smoke, vape or use a tobacco product.
Via an awareness of resources available on campus to support cessation of smoking, vaping and tobacco products, Cal State Dominguez Hills strives to create a culture that supports healthier living for all who come to our campus.
An email was sent to all staff and students on Aug. 28 containing cessation resources, available works and facts on health benefits of quitting.
