Sampson Community College implemented a tobacco-free policy nearly three years ago, and the subject is once again before the Board of Trustees, as administration has asked the board to consider revising the terms.
In 2015, the Sampson Community College Board of Trustees voted and in a split 5-3 vote, sided in favor of making the college campus a tobacco-free environment. At the time, discussion indicated the logistics of the policy still needed to be hashed out.
Those logistics, administration admits, are hindering staff from focusing on their top priorities and forcing students to sneak and find ways to fulfill their nicotine fix.
“The current policy is creating an opportunity of friction among our staff and students,” SCC president Dr. Bill Starling advised. “Our staff is unable to fully enforce this policy and when they do, it often results in disciplinary action for the students.”
According to the current policy, “Sampson Community College is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment in which people can learn and work. As an expression of this commitment, effective August 10, 2015, the college is designated a ‘tobacco-free campus’, defined as free of all tobacco products. The use of any tobacco product (to include electronic cigarettes or vapor devices) is prohibited in campus buildings, on campus grounds, in college vehicles, or at any college-sponsored event.”
At the time of the policy’s passing, trustee’s were concerned about the student population being that of an older generation and blue-collar. Compounding that, Sampson also has an agricultural background steeped in the growing of tobacco, a point often broached in any talks concerning a transition to smoke-free status. Similar smoke-free moves have been made in recent years by Sampson County and Sampson Regional Medical Center.
Those concerns were approached during the trustee’s meeting Tuesday night, including comments from staff about difficulties enforcing the policy and having the time to police the campus and the policy.
“The policy is one we embrace, but it is interfering with our ability to be an effective educational institution,” Starling said.
Following the current policy, students and staff are forced to travel off campus to smoke or partake in tobacco products. For those who don’t follow the policy and chance getting caught, disciplinary action looms.
“Honestly, we can’t truly enforce a no-smoking ban,” trustee Nash Johnson said. “We are dealing with adults and you can’t force someone not to smoke.”
If approved, the new policy would allow the use of tobacco products in designated areas.
Looking at surrounding community colleges, Starling explained while they say they are “tobacco-free”, many of them allow the use of tobacco products in designated areas. Bladen Community College, James Sprunt Community College, Pitt Community College, Wake Tech Community College and Wilson Community College allow permit the use of tobacco products in those designated areas, but prohibit use in college buildings, college-owned vehicles and throughout the campus outside of those allowed areas.
Prepared to ask trustees to take a vote Tuesday night, Starling advised that he wanted the board to review the proposed policy and allow concerned organizations a chance to speak before a decision is made.
Chick Gancer, with the Sampson County Partners for Healthy Carolinians, expressed the concern of the local group three years ago when the policy was adopted, and once again contacted Starling regarding changing the policy. Starling asked the trustees to review the policy change and take time to consider all concerns before taking a final vote.