Smoking Policy Task Force Charter

Problem Statement:
The current smoking policy, i.e. designated outdoor areas for smoking on grounds around Lane Community College facilities has received complaints from both students and employees. 

This is a health and safety issue and this policy needs to be reviewed.

Sponsor:
Dennis Carr

Members:
Alen Bahret, Classified representative
Stephen Candee, Faculty representative
Dennis Carr, ET representative
Mary Glenn, Manager; Human Resources representative
Jennifer Jordan, Lane County Public Health representative
Layne King, Wellness Program representative
James Manning, ASLCC Student representative
Wendy Simmons, Employee Wellness representative; Facilitator
Nadine Wilkes, Safety Committee; Health Clinic representative
Stephanie Young-Peterson, Lane County Public Health representative

Purpose:
To review designated smoking areas.  To address complaints regarding problems with these areas.  To help ensure the health and safety of all students and employees.  According to the surgeon general, there is no risk-free level of exposure to  secondhand smoke.  Even brief exposure to secondhand smoke may cause acute respiratory effects such as cough, phlegm, wheezing and breathlessness.  People who have asthma are at especially high risk for being affected by secondhand smoke.  These risks of secondhand smoke are present both outdoors and indoors.

References:
* The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke: A Report from the Surgeon General, 2006
* http://www.breath-ala.org/html/out_why20feet.html

Outcomes:
Recommendations include the following:
1. A list of areas recommended to be removed or relocated.
2. A plan for signage of these areas and developing new maps.
3. A plan for to re-evaluate the effectiveness of designated smoking areas.
4. Procedures to encourage compliance with the smoking policy. 

Scope:
1. Education and training related to smoking cessation is available for both employees and students.
2. The task force will assess all areas, noting proximity to air intake systems and walkways.
3. A survey of students and staff opinions, regarding the current smoking policy, relocation of designated smoking areas and efforts to move towards a tobacco-free campus, may be obtained.
4. Review the policy concerning smoking in LCC owned vehicles.
5. Recommend a tobacco-free campus as deemed necessary.

 Principles:
1. The task force shall have a facilitator – the Employee Wellness Coordinator.
2. The task force shall solicit input from smokers and non-smokers.
3. The task force shall solicit input from Facilities regarding air intake systems and relocation of designated areas.
4. The task force shall monitor the effectiveness of the smoking shelter locations and write work orders as needed to maintain the effectiveness of the smoking areas.
5. The task force shall locate smoking shelters at least 64 feet away from buildings in order to meet fire rating requirements of the shelters per building code compliance officials guidance.
6.  The locations of smoking shelters shall not distract from the overall appearance of the grounds.  Cigarette butts and trash shall be encouraged to be placed in appropriate receptacles. 

Authority: 
The Safety Committee and Greg Morgan have given authority to the Smoking Policy Task Force to move ahead with recommendations and policy change, as deemed appropriate.  The Task Force will go through the Governance System to make necessary policy changes.

Long-Range Planning Strategy:
1. The smoking task force shall develop a plan that includes education and other associated wellness training, and shelter relocation and eventual removal from campus grounds once plan is approved.
2. The smoking task force shall develop a plan to create a smoke-free campus by the year 2011.