PHOENIX (CBS5/AP) -
A smoking and tobacco ban went into effect Monday for the Maricopa Community College District.
Students, faculty and other employees will no longer have any designated smoking areas on any of the campuses or other district-owned property.
Chancellor Rufus Glasper said the ban, approved last fall, is part of a growing trend on college campuses.
The ban is only in effect on district-owned property, and does not extend to the perimeter sidewalks. There are 10 community college campuses, two skill centers, and several satellite campuses.
Students and employees who violate the tobacco-free policy could be subject to consequences, as with any other student or employee policy violation, according to the district.
"The goal of this policy," Glasper said in a news release in March, "is to provide a healthier learning and working environment."
The district is also offering on-campus smoking cessation classes and access to nicotine replacement therapies, such as the patch, in bookstores and the state's ASHLINE, which offers a supply of no-cost nicotine patches for those who qualify.
For more information on quitting tobacco, call 1-800-556-6222 or visit www.ashline.org
The community college district includes:
- Chandler-Gilbert Community College
- Estrella Mountain Community College
- GateWay Community College
- Glendale Community College
- Mesa Community College
- Paradise Valley Community College
- Phoenix Community College
- Rio Salado Community College
- Scottsdale Community College
- South Mountain Community College
- Maricopa Skill Center
- Southwest Skill Center
Copyright 2012 CBS 5 (Meredith Corporation). All rights reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
