Tobacco-Free Campus
Why We Went Tobacco Free
The path to becoming tobacco-free first began when SOWELA Technical Community College adopted a non-smoking policy in 2003 that banned smoking in all College facilities and required smokers to be 50 ft. from all entrance ways. Then, in 2010, SOWELA received a grant through the Tobacco-Free Living-Fresh Campus Initiative to work toward becoming a Tobacco-Free Campus. Through conversation, surveys, and petitions, Fresh Campus found that there was support for further restriction of tobacco use on campus. In 2012, the campus began new building expansion and with that growth came a stronger desire by administration to pursue becoming tobacco-free. However, the incentive for accelerating our decision came in June of 2013, when Governor Bobby Jindal passed Act 211 requiring all public post-secondary institutions to develop at minimum, smoke-free campus environments.
SOWELA Fresh Campus
SOWELA Fresh Campus will be working to put the word out regarding the policy and to educate individuals on the effects tobacco has on everyone. Visit the Tobacco-Free FAQ to find out more information about the College being a FRESH campus.
Important Facts about Tobacco Use
“Tobacco use is the leading cause of premature and preventable death in the United States. Living tobacco-free reduces a person’s risk of developing heart disease, various cancers, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, periodontal disease, asthma and other diseases, and of dying prematurely. Tobacco-free living means avoiding use of all types of tobacco products—such as cigarettes, cigars, smokeless tobacco, pipes and hookahs—and also living free from secondhand smoke exposure.”
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