By Payton Glunt
CCC Journalism Program
BLACKWOOD – The recent popularization of Juuls and other e-cigarettes has tested the no-tobacco policy on the Camden County College campus, prompting students to consider whether vaping is acceptable.
A “Tobacco Free” sign stands outside Madison Hall on the Camden County College Blackwood campus. By Payton Glunt, CCC Journalism Program
Since 2009, Camden County College has been a tobacco-free campus. The school is “committed to promoting the good health of out students, employees and the entire college community,” according to the policy released by the Board of Trustees on June 5, 2009.
And according to the student handbook, “any student who violates this policy shall be subject to fine and disciplinary measures in accordance with the provisions of the Student Code of Conduct”, while “other individuals, including visitors to the college, who violate this policy, may be asked to leave the college property.”
However, several students said recently they have seen students smoking or vaping on campus, even in classrooms during class sessions.
“I feel tobacco use should not be allowed on campus because it can be dangerous to the human body and highly addictive,” said Mimi Hoang, a second-year student at CCC.
Nico Intelisano, a first-year student, said he was not bothered by the idea of smoking on campus. “I think students should be allowed to smoke/vape outside. We’re all adults.”
Michael Keith, a third-year student, stated, “Students at CCC are also adults and should be able to control themselves.”
Keith and several other students, including those who did not agree with smoking on campus, did agree if it was wanted a smoking section on campus would not bother them.
Assistant Public Safety Director John Gibson said the college’s major concerns are to promote public health and to help students with addiction rather than punish them and while no statistics exist to show if tobacco use on campus has increased, the public safety office is continuing its efforts to enforce the no-tobacco policy.
“Any student looking to receive help from the school’s programs (to help them quit tobacco products) can go to Student Affairs in Taft Hall for more information on those programs,” Gibson said.