Smokers beware!
In January 2006, the California Resource board identified secondhand smoke as a toxic air contaminant with serious health effects when exposed to it.
A new policy has been proposed, and, if it is passed as of January 1, 2007, Bakersfield College will be a smoke-free campus except for officially posted designated areas.
“I’m against it, because everyone is an adult here; they should be able to do what they want,” said BC freshman Emmanuel Arroyo.
In order for this policy to pass, it must first be sent to the Student Government Association where the student senate will vote on a proposal.
If the proposal is passed, it will then go to the BC president and counsel, and finally to the Board of Trustees.
“I’m very optimistic that it will pass. This is a public health issue. It’s about improving the lives of Kern County citizens,” said Nsele M. Nsuangani, project director of the Tobacco Education Program for the Kern County Department of Public Health.
California government code 7596-7598 prohibits smoking within 20 feet of the main exit, entrance, and operable windows of buildings occupied by city, county, state and community college districts.
“Designated areas will be located by buildings and selected by a task force nominated by Bakersfield College officials,” Nsuangani said.
Not only does this limit tobacco use, it also limits tobacco sales and sponsorship at Bakersfield College.
In addition, smokeless tobacco in any form shall not be permitted in any classroom or other enclosed facility or at any college activity.
These policies shall apply to all Bakersfield College campus facilities, owned or leased, including athletic facilities and all college vehicles. These policies pertain to students, faculty, staff, visitors and the general public attending campus events.
In 2005, Nsuangani headed a survey that included 223 students. The survey found that 136 of those students had never smoked, 44 had quit smoking, and 26 people were current smokers. Seventeen students declined to answer.
CSUB as well as Taft College already have a similar policy in place.
Nsuangani believes passing this policy at BC will strengthen the effort of other community colleges and California state universities in doing the same.
“It’s not an individual project,” he said. “It’s a state-mandated project to give the health department authority to work to assist Kern County community colleges as well as universities, and to adopt and permit a restricted smoking policy on campus.”