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Norwalk Community College Campus Goes Smoke-Free

NORWALK, Conn. -- Non-smokers will be able to breathe a sigh of relief as Norwalk Community College has gone completely smoke-free.

Norwalk Community College has gone completely smoke-free, banning all tobacco products as of Wednesday.

Norwalk Community College has gone completely smoke-free, banning all tobacco products as of Wednesday.

Photo Credit: Casey Donahue

Starting Wednesday, the college has instituted a ban on all smoking and tobacco products anywhere on campus. The school becomes only the second campus in the state to ban smoking campuswide, after Quinnipiac University's North Haven campus.

Smoking in all buildings used for government operations has been banned in Connecticut since 1993.

“NCC is implementing this tobacco- and smoke-free campus policy to provide a safe and healthy working and learning environment for our staff, faculty, students and guests,” said NCC President David Levinson.

The ban prohibits the use of all cigarettes, cigars, electronic cigarettes, hookahs, pipes and smoke-less tobacco products on school grounds, college-owned or leased properties, and in college vehicles. It also includes products designed to mimic smoking products or containing tobacco ingredients.

The new rule was instituted based on findings by the U.S. Surgeon General that passive exposure to cigarette smoke can cause serious health issues both for smokers and non-smokers, according to the college.

"The thoughtfulness, consideration, and cooperation of tobacco users and non-tobacco users is essential in attaining good health," Levinson said in a message to faculty Wednesday. "Remember that we, as a community, are responsible for respectfully communicating this policy to faculty, staff, students and visitors and to explain that tobacco use is prohibited on NCC grounds."

The Act Prohibiting Smoking in Public Buildings was passed in 1993, and states that smoking is prohibited in any building owned, leased or operated by the State of Connecticut.

Madeline Barillo, the director of marketing and public relations for NCC, said that the school has increased its focus on the health and wellness of students, faculty and the public.

Last month the college kicked off its new series of Wellness Walks around campus to increase the amount of physical activity students receive. The walks are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9 a.m. and noon, and last between 15 and 30 minutes. Each walk is guided by a different member of the NCC community, and includes a discussion of a topic of interest.

 

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