Promoting Health & Wellness

The College is committed to fulfilling its health and wellness initiatives of providing a tobacco and vapor free environment, promoting healthy living, maintaining a litter-free environment, and addressing unplanned pregnancy. (Statement No. 212.33; January 20, 2021)

Tobacco and Vapor Free Environment
Reports from the U.S. Surgeon General typically detail the dangers and health complications associated with smoking and tobacco-use. The College has an obligation to provide a safe and healthy learning and work environment free of smoking and tobacco-use. Students, employees, and visitors have the right to breathe clean air and not be exposed to the effects of smoking and tobacco. All College locations shall be tobacco and vapor free. Smoking in any form, to include but not limited to cigarettes, hookahs, vapor smoking, electronic smoking devices, and the use of tobacco products is prohibited anywhere on the campus; including centers, campus buildings, athletic and recreational facilities, building entrances and common areas, sidewalks, parking lots, college-owned vehicles, and personal vehicles. There are absolutely no exceptions.
1. Definitions
  1. Smoking - inhaling, exhaling, burning, or carrying any lighted or heated cigar, cigarette, pipe, hookah, or any other lighted or heated tobacco or plant product intended for inhalation, including marijuana, whether natural or synthetic, in any manner or in any form. This also includes the use of electronic smoking devices which create an aerosol or vapor, in any manner or form, or the use of any oral smoking device for the purpose of circumventing the prohibition of smoking in this Statement.
  2. Electronic Smoking Device (ESD) – 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.
  3. Hookah – water pipe and any associated products and devices which are to produce fumes, smoke, and/or vapor from the burning of material including, but not limited to, tobacco, shisha, or other plant matter.
  4. Tobacco Product - any product made or derived from tobacco that is intended for human consumption, including any component, part, or accessory of a tobacco product (except for raw materials other than tobacco used in manufacturing a component, part, or accessory of a tobacco product.
2. Promotion and Sale of Tobacco Products
  
  Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College prohibits the promotion and sale of tobacco products: No tobacco-related advertising or sponsorship shall be permitted on College property, at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College-sponsored events, or in publications produced by the College, with the exception of advertising in media that is not produced by the College and which is lawfully sold, bought, or distributed on College property. This applies to the use of a tobacco brand or corporate name, trademark, logo, symbol, or motto, selling message, recognizable pattern or colors, or any other indicia of product identical to or similar to, or identifiable with, those used for any brand of Cigarettes, including ESDs, cigars, pipes, including hookah pipes, shall not be sold or distributed as samples on College grounds, either in vending machines or any area on College property.
3. Policy Enforcement
  
  The College also aims to maintain a tobacco and vapor free environment through education, awareness, and a spirit of cooperation. Employees in violation of the policy could face disciplinary action applicable to Statement 212.4.1 (Progressive Discipline). Student violators could face disciplinary actions and monetary fines applicable to Statement 717 (Due Process in Student Discipline).
4. Policy Dissemination
  
  Information about the Statement (No. 212.33) and how to comply with it shall be posted on the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College web site to ensure stakeholders fully understand it. Copies of this Statement shall be distributed to all College employees and admitted students. No smoking signs shall be posted at all points of entry to Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College locations and at all Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College building entrances. No ashtrays shall be provided at any location of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.
Health Living
All College locations shall encourage engagement in healthy lifestyle choices for physical, social and behavioral well-being.
Litter Free Environment
All College locations shall be committed to maintaining a litter free environment to protect public health, safety and welfare.
Unplanned Pregnancy
The College is committed to providing information to improve the lives and future prospects of children and families by ensuring that all children are born into families committed to and ready for the demanding task of raising the next generation by reducing unplanned pregnancy among teens and young adults.

RESOURCES. To support this overall health and wellness initiative, awareness and prevention programs and other tools and resources are available to employees and students.