Dr. Larry Phillips. (Source: Angelina College)From Angelina College
LUFKIN, TX - Following the Board meeting held Monday, June 11th, Angelina College officials have announced the approval of a policy making the AC campus tobacco-free beginning with the Fall 2012 semester.
The change makes the entire AC campus, including all off-campus centers, 100 percent tobacco-free. Smoking will not be allowed on-campus at any location except within the confines of a private vehicle. This will include the use of "e-cigarettes" and other such devices.
Angelina College president Dr. Larry Phillips said the decision has been pending for quite some time.
"We have been discussing this policy for over a year, and we've conferred with both students and faculty members in that time," Phillips said. "It is absolutely the right thing to do. A number of colleges and universities around the state are going, or have gone, to tobacco-free environments on-campus."
Phillips cited input from the Coalition in Angelina County, which conducted surveys of students and other institutions of higher education. Those findings suggested wide-spread support for tobacco-free campuses.
"The college has been a non-smoking area in all buildings for quite a while," Phillips said. "However, going completely tobacco-free should promote public health, save lives and save thousands of dollars in campus maintenance costs."
