Edmonds Community College may go tobacco free
Published 1:30 am Tuesday, October 4, 2016
LYNNWOOD — Edmonds Community College is considering becoming a tobacco-free campus, but may opt instead to limit smoking to designated areas.
The third of its on-campus meetings on the topic, led by college president Jean Hernandez, is scheduled from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Oct. 11 in Mountlake Terrace Hall room 230. Students and staff also can participate in an online survey.
The college has been considering action on the smoking issue for several years.
Currently there are five designated smoking areas on campus, but students aren’t limited to smoking only in those areas. “If I’m a smoker, I can smoke on the way to my car,” Hernandez said.
Smoking is allowed as long as students and staff light up in places that comply with the state’s smoking in public places law passed in 2005. It prohibits smoking in work sites, restaurants, and other public places as well as banning smoking within 25 feet of doors, windows and ventilation intakes.
One of the campus’ smoking areas near Alderwood Hall was closed after students in the building’s labs complained that smoke was being sucked in by its ventilation system, Hernandez said.
There’s also been some requests to move another smoking area farther away from a parking lot.
Dr. Gary Goldbaum, health officer for the Snohomish Health District, is scheduled to make a presentation to the college’s trustees during its Oct. 13 meeting. The health district’s governing board approved a regulation banning vaping in public places last year.
College trustees previously have heard from representatives from Everett Community College and North Seattle College on their tobacco-free policies. Everett Community College approved a tobacco-free policy in 2012.
EdCC trustees are expected to make a decision to either limit smoking to designated areas or approve a tobacco-free policy in November.
The time of the change will depend on what’s decided, but could occur either in January or when the new school year beings in the fall of 2017, Hernandez said.
The campus is planning smoking cessation workshops for students and staff. “We’re committed to offering something this quarter,” said Chris Hudyma, who oversees employee training.
Sharon Salyer: 425-339-3486; salyer@heraldnet.com.
