CCBC To Become Tobacco-Free Campus

The Community College of Baltimore County will soon be smoke-free.

Beginning July 1, all three of CCBC's main campuses—Essex, Dundalk and Catonsville—will bar the use of tobacco products from all buildings, exterior grounds and athletic fields, according to a news release.

“Our intent is to promote a healthy campus environment, ensuring that all members of our college community—including students, faculty, staff, visitors and guests—enjoy access to clean air,” said CCBC President Sandra Kurtinitis in a statement.

The smoke-free movement has been growing in public places, Patch has reported previously. hasn't made the switch to becoming a smoke-free campus, but has taken moves to restrict places where one can smoke.

Last summer, smoking from all county-owner properties or public places.

According to the release, once the new policy goes into effect, "tobacco products may be used only inside private vehicles on college parking lots outside the perimeter roadway, or within designated tobacco-use kiosks located on the campus perimeters."

Enforcement of the new policy will be gradually phased in over several months. During the first three months of the new policy, violators will receive a pamphlet detailing the college policy along with resources for cessation programs, according to the release.

After three months, the release continued, those caught smoking on campus will receive a warning along with information on how to quit.

But, beginning Jan. 1, 2013, violators will be issued a $35 citation or requested to leave the campus, the release states.

At the same time, CCBC officials said the college is partnering with the Baltimore County Department of Health to offer free smoking cessation classes to all CCBC students, faculty and staff.

Catonsville Patch editor Penny Riordan contributed to this article.