PITTSFIELD -- Berkshire Community College's (BCC) Board of Trustees has unanimously approved an initiative designed to make the campus smoke-free starting Aug. 1.
The policy, which includes the burning of tobacco or any other material in any type of smoking equipment, encompasses all property owned and operated by BCC.
The dangers of secondhand smoke are well documented, said BCC President Ellen Kennedy. Any steps that can be taken to better the health and well-being of our students and employees are positive steps. We look forward to working together as a community to raise awareness about the health benefits to everyone of having a smoke-free campus.
BCC s decision to go smoke-free follows a trend occurring on college campuses nationwide. Nearly half of the institutions in the commonwealth have already enacted similar policies -- with many others following suit.
The college will offer assistance to those who wish to quit smoking through a smoking cessation program in collaboration with Berkshire Health Systems.
Students involved with BCC s Respiratory Care Program will complete a Smoking Cessation Facilitator course over the summer of 2013 to learn how to best assist their smoking peers in kicking the habit.
For more information about BCC going smoke-free, visit http://www.berkshirecc.edu/smokefreecampus.
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