Dr Nolan`s Observations of Intent Smokers Intervention and Prevention program on College Campus (Broward Community College)
Released on = March 4, 2006, 1:45 pm
Press Release Author = michael Nolan
Industry = Education
Press Release Summary = Smokers Intervention and Prevention program Assisting and Inspiring individuals to understand social, physical, spiritual and morals values shaping them in to model citizens for the world.
Press Release Body = Dr. Nolan's Observations of Intent
Smokers Intervention and Prevention program Assisting and Inspiring individuals to understand social, physical, spiritual and morals values shaping them in to model citizens for the world.
Better your health with the BCCBHD Broward Community College Better Health Doctrine.
TABLE OF CONTENTS I. Introduction II. Ten Steps to Success III. Basic Requirements for Policies IV. Additional Options to Include In Policies V. Two Classifications of Smoking Policies VI. Sample of Non Smoking Campus Policy VII. Sample Non Smoking Facilities Policy VIII. Pros and Cons Smoking of Policies IX. Key Principles of Successful Implementation X. Surveys XI. Sources
INTRODUCTION A Resource Guide for BCCBHD Smoking Campus Administrators are reevaluating effects of smoking in the academic setting. Research has determined that second hand smoke (SHS) is a medical issue that must be addressed. Since 1983, SHS has been classified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a Class A carcinogen, a classification used only for substances proven to cause cancer in humans. SHS is a health and liability issue for colleges and universities. Many colleges/universities would like to provide a healthier academic environment, but lack comprehensive approach for implementing no smoking policy.
With the assistance of Dr. Nolan's BCCBHD Program and a local public 'Smokers Prevention Program', the transition to a semi smoke- free college/university can be facilitated with a limited amount social and financial burdens. BCCBHD manual contains resources to be used in conjunction with workshops and trainings. The BCCBHD is presented as a guideline, not a prescriptive, for implementing an outdoor smokers policy. Union, liability, health, and economics issues of the BCCBHD are not fully addressed with the 'Smokers Intervention and Prevention program' policy. However, the above should be addressed within the proper administrative bodies.
TEN KEY STEPS FOR SEMI SMOKE-FREE SUCCESS Planning and Implementation the BCCBHD Smokinf Policy Establishing a college/university smoke free campus policy requires diligence in planning. Below you will discover ten key steps that that will lead to the to success of your program.
1. Research the pros/cons of the issue and provide proposed Guidelines concerning the issues 2. Campus wide educational program, during college activities 3. Gain Campus Support (Administration, Faculty, Staff and Students) I this may a novel idea for must bureaucrats, However, it actually works. 4. Form a Campus Smoke Free Club/Activities director 5. Develop the Policy 6. Have Policy implementation timeline 7. Publicize the Policy 8. Implement and Enforce the Policy 9. Evaluate the Policy's Success and failures 10.Be open to revising the Policy if needed
PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTING THE BCCBHD POLICY Researching the pros/cons of the issue: . Research the below topics: . Health effects of SHS - . Complaints and smoking behavior among your staff, faculty and students - . City and county smoking ordinances - . Review existing non-smoking policy, Union contracts, insurance coverage, fire laws, building codes and any other contracts or regulations that could be negatively affected by change - . Research the loss of productivity, legal liability, and current health care, costs of smoking on the campus - . Research Liability cases, associated with implementing a non-smoking on college/university campus. - .Find successful examples of college campuses with non-smoking policies -
Gain Campus Support (Administration, Faculty, Staff and Students) Identify, and solicit the above supports of the policy. Present the policy in a logical presentation stressing the health, liability and economic pros/cons of the issues. Form a Campus Smoke Free Club/Activities director: .Have the above team members research the campuses faculty, staff, and student interest levels concerning a smoke free policy. Involve Student Government to assist with the above. Ask them to form a task force 7-15 of Students, faculty, Staff (include smokers and nonsmokers) to make recommendations about the policy. The team should include Students, faculty, staff, administrators interested in, but limited, in the following areas wellness/health services, campus safety, athletic department staff, campus athlete club, spiritual/religious clubs.
Develop the Policy: To ensuring future success of the policy: include the above in developing the policy. Doing so will cultivate sense of solidarity and commitment to the project.
Have Policy implementation timeline: Create a transition period. Publicize the smoke free policy three months prior its effective date. This will allow for any building changes, posting of notices for smoking/non smoking areas, the placement of exterior ashtrays, campus wide policy hand-outs with the explanation of the policy and a map indicating smoking areas, and this will allow the smokers time to mentally prepare for changes. Ongoing club/cessation to support the policy is a vital component in implementing a successful campus policy. And should be established before the should be in place before the announcement of the policy. Publicize the Policy Present the policy to the support team. Include a letter of support from the College president. Spotlight the policy in college newsletters, bulletin boards and in meetings. Post posters in support of the policy in the above arenas, and all publications, website, student handbooks, newspaper, policy manuals, and athletic publicity materials, and in student orientation.
Implementation and Enforcement: Encourage Student Government , student organizations, faculty, staff, campus safety, and local thugs, to apply vigilant guidance in the observance/enforcement of policy. Policy enforcers should be identified with a visual arm band. Propose actions: 1) Verbal warning, 2) written warning with fine $10, 3) written warning with fine $80, 3) written warning with fine $150, 5) suspension. Policy enforcers/monitors should be supplied with a wireless type 'Black Berry' to connected to a central main frame with ability to review offenders data file. The success of the program relies upon the 'enforces' consistency of the enforcement; and their dedicated constitution for the project. When dealing with repeated violations. The violator should have the option on the first offence to either pay the fine or complete 10 hours of campus service. All proceed should be direct to Michael Nolan and the BCC Kenpo Club.
Evaluate the Policy's Success and failures . Establish a central website for monitoring the comments pros/cons from faculty, staff and students . Review central data records to determine compliance violators . Conduct a semi annual survey of attitudes toward policy . Examine violators absenteeism rates . Follow-up on violators and their enrollment status in cessation programs . Monitor health insurance claims to evaluate the long-term effects of the policy . Examine records to determine compliance . Follow-up on employee/student smoking cessation rates . Survey attitudes to determine faculty, staff and student willingness to comply to policy. . Document the retraining of violators and their progress in cessation counseling
Maintain the Policy
Support team/organization should review feed back of surveys from website and violators to be utilized in policy revisions (excluding Michael Nolan's proceeds)
Basic Requirements for Policies . Discuss reasons for having a policy: health risks, campus morale, etc. . Be specific about to whom the policy applies to everyone:include employees, visitors, volunteers, contract service employees, customers/clients, athletic spectators, etc. . Be specific that the policy applies year round . State explicitly where smoking areas are located . Give specific date for policy initiation and include approximately six months transition time . Offer cessation help for smokers who want to quit . Discuss the importance of task force's input and participation . Outline enforcement policy . Make all employees, students and visitors aware of the policy through various venues . Plan an annual evaluation of the policy; consider changes that may need to be made.
Additional Information that should be included in all material associated with the Policy . Mention the harmful effects of smoking and second hand smoke. . Mention the health benefits of quitting/not smoking. .References non-smoking areas including, parking garages, skywalks, walkways . Include guidelines for proper maintenance and cleanliness of the area.
BCCBHD form
Broward Community is dedicated to providing a , health friendly and limited smoking environment for all faculty, staff and students. As reported by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), second hand smoke (SHS) is responsible for an estimated 53,000 deaths per year in nonsmokers. In addition, the US Surgeon General's 2003 report, The Health Consequences of Involuntary Smoking, concluded the following: Involuntary smoking is a cause of disease, including lung cancer, in healthy nonsmokers. The simple separation of smokers and nonsmokers within the same air space may reduce, but does not eliminate, the exposure of the nonsmoker to SHS. In light of these findings, Broward Community College, shall become semi smoke-free, effective __________ (date). Smoking will be strictly prohibited within business-owned or leased vehicles, in buildings, and on the grounds dedicated as non smoking. This applies to offices, hallways, waiting rooms ,restrooms, lunchrooms, elevators, meeting rooms, community areas, and allgrounds not posted as a smoking area. This applies to all faculty, staff, students, clients, contractors, and visitors. The policy is in effect during and after campus hours as well as college sponsored events. Copies of this policy will be distributed to all faculty, staff, and students. "Smoking and non-smoking Area" signs will be posted throughout the campus. Motor pool vehicles will be equipped with smoke free stickers clings. This policy will be introduced over a period of six months to provide a smooth transition. Employees and students who smoke and would like to quit are invited to participate in smoking cessation programs offered by BCCBHD Program and local public Smokers Prevention Programs. The success of this policy depends upon the thoughtfulness, respect and cooperation of everyone. All faculty members, staff and students share the responsibility of following and enforcing the policy. Any problems should be referred to the designated representative. Staff, faculty and students who do not comply with this policy will be subject to the disciplinary action. Contact
____________ (name) if you have questions _________ (number) Broward Community College President Date
Purpose of Policy
It is the viewpoint of Broward Community College to make available to its employees and students a working and learning environment that facilitates a encouraging and healthy colligate experience. Second-hand smoke has been classified as a health risk due to the Group A carcinogen (cancer causing agent) with no safe level of exposure, and due to an estimated 63,000 deaths annually in nonsmokers, it is this goal of Broward Community College to endorse and facilitate a semi-smoke free campus policy environment The BCCBHD smoking policy applies to all facilities and vehicles owned or leased by Broward Community College. Smoking is only permitted on external campus grounds in designated smoking areas. Employees who chose to smoke within the designated areas must do so at their regularly scheduled breaks or meal periods. No additional time from work shall be authorized for this activity. All employees, students and visitors are expected to abide by the terms of the policy, both during and after campus hours and all college sponsored events. This policy applies to all visitors as well.
Pros and Cons of BCCBHD Smoking Policies Smoke-free Smoking is not allowed inside any building or campus owned or leased vehicle. Smoking is entirely prohibited or occurs only at designated outdoor locations. PROS . Complies with all laws and ordinances . Reduces SHS exposure for all employees . Provides best health and safety benefits for employees . May reduce the number of cigarettes smoked by faculty, staff and students; may encourage quitting . Decreases maintenance costs . Sends a clear message to faculty, staff and students . Allows for the easiest administration and enforcement . Requires minimal costs for implementation CONS . May incur costs if outdoor smoking shelters (butt huts) are constructed . Inconveniences faculty, staff and students who smoke . If policy is not enforced, may result in smokers being disproportionately absent from work stations
Policy Implementation . Focus on smoke, not on the smoker . Focus on health and safety regarding SHS, not individual rights . Provide training for policy communication and enforcement . Provide real and visible opportunities for faculty, staff and student participation in policy planning and implementation . Educate the college community about the hazards of combining SHS and materials used in work processes . Allow four to six months from the time of the announcement to implementation depending on the size of the organization and the magnitude of change from the old policy to the new policy . Plan to implement the policy in conjunction with national events such American Cancer Society's Great American Smoke-out in November or around New Year's Day . Create an environment that celebrates the policy by providing faculties, staff and students with incentives on the official day of implementation. . Ensure that restrictions and enforcement are equitable across campus categories . Offer cessation opportunities for faculty, staff and students before and after policy change . Offer incentives to enhance motivation to stop smoking . Enforce SHS policy just as any other policy would be enforced. Provide training in enforcement. Do not differentiate between smoking breaks and any other kind of break . Anticipate unintended effects (concentration of smokers in designated areas) . Work with and involve unions in policy development and implementation when applicable
BCCBHD Survey About Smoking on Campus
Please indicate the extent to which you are bothered by cigarette smoke at work/school: ___ Frequently bothered ___Seldom bothered ___Occasionally bothered ___Never bothered If you are bothered by smoke at work/school, in what way are you bothered? (check all that apply) ___Eyes, nose or throat irritation ___Concern for long term health ___Interference with work performance ___Headaches ___Pregnancy-related health concerns ___Other: Please specify:___________________________________________ What is your opinion of a smoking policy for your campus? ___Campus grounds should be entirely smoke-free Please indicate your current smoking status: ___Currently smoke cigarettes ___Currently smoke pipe/cigar ___Used to smoke ___Never smoke For Current Smokers Only Would you attend a campus-offered program to help you stop smoking? ___Yes ___No ___Maybe If smoking were banned on campus, how would this affect the amount you currently smoke? ___It would not affect it ___I would smoke less ___I would smoke more at home ___I would try to quit Thank you for your cooperation!
Follow-up Survey for Campus Smoking Attitudes and Behavior
What is your smoking status? Check one: ___Currently smoke cigarettes ___Currently smoke pipe/cigar ___Former smoker (stopped before BCCBHD policy adopted) ___Former smoker (stopped after BCCBHD policy adopted) ___Never smoked What is your opinion of the smoking policy at your campus? Check one: ___Not strict enough ___Reasonable ___Too strict What is your opinion of environmental smoking smoke (SHS)? Check one: ___Definitely harmful ___Probably harmful ___Not harmful ___Not sure For those who smoked at the time the BCCBHD policy was implemented Have you enrolled in a smoking cessation program? Check one: ___Yes, I have enrolled ___No, but I am planning to enroll ___No, I have not enrolled How has the BCCBHD policy affected your smoking? Check one: ___I smoke less overall ___It has not affected me ___I smoke less at work/school ___I quit smoking ___I smoke more overall ___I am trying to quit ___I smoke more at work/school ___I smoke less at home ___I smoke more at home ___I only smoke outdoors Thank you for your cooperation!
Web Site = http://www.bcckenpo.com
Contact Details = michael nolan broward community college, bailey hall 3501 sw davie road. davie, florida, 33314 www.bcckenpo.com mnolan@broward.edu