Administrative Policies

KCTCS Tobacco and Smoke Free Policy

1. Purpose

This policy establishes the limitations on use of tobacco products and electronic smoking devices  on KCTCS facilities and properties.

2. Scope

This policy applies to all KCTCS Community Members on any KCTCS property.

3. Definitions

1. “Smoking” means inhaling, exhaling, burning, or carrying any lighted or heated cigar, cigarette, or pipe. “Smoking” also includes the use of an electronic smoking device that creates an aerosol or vapor, in any manner or in any form.
   
   
2. “Tobacco Products” means all forms of tobacco, including but not limited to cigarettes, cigars, pipes, water pipes (hookah), electronic cigarettes/vaping, bidis, clove cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products (snuff, chewing tobacco, and dipping tobacco). Tobacco does not include nicotine replacement therapies or smoking cessation product such as patches, gum or prescription medication intended to assist an individual in quitting the use of Tobacco Products.
   
   
3. “Electronic Smoking Device” means any product containing or delivering nicotine or any other substance intended for human consumption that can be used by a person in any manner for the purpose of inhaling vapor or aerosol from the product. The term includes any such device, whether manufactured, distributed, marketed, or sold as an e-cigarette, e-cigar, e-pipe, e-hookah, or vape pen, or under any other product name or descriptor.
   
   
4. “KCTCS Community Member” means its faculty, staff, students, volunteers, vendors, patrons, customers, guests, visitors, and persons employed as a KCTCS contractors.
   
   
5. “KCTCS Property” means buildings and structures, grounds, parking structures, enclosed bridges and walkways, sidewalks, parking lots, and vehicles owned, rented or leased by KCTCS.

4. Policy

1. The use of all Tobacco Products and Electronic Smoking Devices is prohibited on all Property that is owned, operated, leased, occupied, or controlled by KCTCS. This Tobacco-Free Policy relies on the thoughtfulness, consideration, and cooperation of Tobacco Product users and non-Tobacco Product users for its success. It is the responsibility of all Members of KCTCS, as well as visitors to KCTCS to inform and observe this policy.
   
   
2. The provisions and restrictions contained in this policy apply with equal respect to all substances included under the KCTCS Substance Abuse Administrative Policy and Procedure 3.3.13 and the KCTCS Drug-Free Policy Statement. This includes medicinal cannabis, even if used lawfully by a registered cardholder.
   
   
3. Exceptions:
   1. Use of Tobacco Products and/or Electronic Smoking Devices may be permitted for controlled research, educational, or clinical purposes with prior approval of the president responsible for the college or campus.
      
      
   2. Tobacco Products use may be permitted for religious ceremonial purposes with prior approval of the president responsible for the college or campus.
      
      
   3. Use of Tobacco Products and/or Electronic Smoking Devices may be permitted on properties that KCTCS owns, but leases or otherwise conveys an interest (e.g. an easement) to a non-KCTCS party, according to the provisions of the applicable lease or agreement.
      
      
4. Authority for enforcement of this policy is vested with KCTCS President and each College President, in conjunction with the Vice President for Human Resources, the college Human Resources Leaders, and the Chief Student Affairs Officer at each college.
   
   
5. Violations of this policy may result in corrective action under the Student Code of Conduct, or KCTCS Progressive Discipline Human Resource procedure as applicable. Visitors and others refusing to comply may be asked to leave the campus/property.