By: Michael Hobbs

Peace College is going tobacco-free.

The College has adopted a policy that goes into effect Jan. 1 that tobacco products may not be used anywhere on the Peace campus.

"Leading indicators point to the fact that many colleges have gone through this transition and many more are moving in that direction," said Provost Debbie Cottrell. "We are taking this step within the context of a range of activities aimed at creating a healthier environment for our students, faculty and staff."

Peace becomes the 20^th college in North Carolina to adopt a tobacco-free policy, according to the North Carolina Health Wellness Trust Fund Commission. In the Raleigh area, only Wake Tech and Louisburg College have adopted such a policy, according to the commission. Most other colleges have adopted policies that buildings will be smoke-free, as Peace's current policy requires.

The tobacco-free policy will apply also apply to all visitors to campus.

Helping kick the habit

The tobacco-free policy is being implemented following a semester-long effort this fall to educate and prepare students, faculty and staff for the change.

Smoking cessation classes are being offered, with the first classes having started in September. The Health and Wellness Trust Fund's "Quitline NC" (1-800-QUIT-NOW ) is being promoted to members of the Peace community as a way for people trying to give up smoking can get 24-hour support from trained counselors.

The College also is planning a series of activities to publicize the smoking cessation efforts and the new policy. For example, a party and a student-employee "Kick the Habit" kickball game is planned as part of the January kickoff of implementation of the new policy.

"We're planning a series of events to draw attention to the new policy, but also to the resources we're making available to help people give up tobacco products," said Lisa Allred Draper, director of the Student Counseling Center and one of the leaders of the initiative.

A central component of the education campaign will be sharing of survey results concerning Peace students' and employees' attitudes regarding smoking. Draper said it's important for Peace community members to know that people typically tend to overestimate how many smokers there are within any community.

An educational experience

Under the new policy, smoking and all other use of tobacco products will be prohibited on the entire campus, including outside buildings. Smoking also will be prohibited inside vehicles parked in College parking lots. The policy applies to all visitors, including those attending sporting and alumnae events.

The College is going to work with students, employees and campus visitors to make the new policy an educational experience, while seeking to avoid having to use punitive sanctions to enforce the policy, Draper said.

"Our intention is to help people give up habits that can be detrimental to their health and to create an environment that celebrates healthy behaviors," Draper said.