Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

PCC’s tobacco policy modified starting spring term

Photos and story by James Hill

Portland Community College will modify its tobacco policy beginning spring term 2011 with the twin goals of significantly reducing the use of tobacco at the college, while also being responsive to neighbors.

PCC will introduce “Good Neighbor Zones” on some campuses. The zones will be dedicated, well-marked places on the periphery of a campus where people may smoke without facing fines.

Tobacco use at all other buildings and sites on campuses and centers remains prohibited, as it has been since fall 2009.

As a consequence of PCC’s tobacco policy, some smokers have migrated into surrounding neighborhoods to smoke and to leave cigarette butts.  The modified policy came about after negotiations with neighbors and college officials.

The creation of Good Neighbor Zones will be a campus-by-campus decision, at the discretion of each campus president. The Sylvania Campus will introduce the college’s first Good Neighbor Zones at the start of spring term, March 28.

“The college launched its tobacco-free policy with the goal of creating a healthier PCC community,” said Linda Gerber, president of the Sylvania Campus. “While it led to positive results on the campuses, we had unanticipated consequences affecting nearby neighbors and natural areas that needed to be addressed.”

Fines for tobacco use in non-designated areas will be increased from the current $25 to $50 for most places. Fines will triple to $75 in fire-hazard zones, such as forested areas.

“We stand proudly behind our decision to significantly reduce tobacco use at PCC,” said Preston Pulliams, college president. “The creation of Good Neighbor Zones, plus the increase in fines, should help us balance that policy with the goal of being responsive to those who live around our campuses.”

More information – and access to smoking-cessation programs – can be found at www.pcc.edu/tobacco.