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January 1, 2007

Tobacco Free

A Message from Holland College President, Dr. Brian McMillan

At its November meeting, based upon their concern for the health of Holland College students, faculty and staff and in support of the leadership role taken last year by the Holland College Student Union who initiated discussion on a tobacco free campus, the Holland College Board of Governors approved a new Tobacco and Smoke Free Environment Policy for the College. Effective January 1, 2007, the College will provide a tobacco and smoke free work and study environment for faculty, staff, students and visitors and will not permit the use or sale of any tobacco product, or the smoking of any products on College owned or leased properties.The policy is available by clicking here.

In anticipation of the implementation of this new policy, the College will encourage and assist students, faculty and staff who wish to quit smoking with a variety of resources. We will also provide information and assistance to those who want to help someone quit smoking.

As well, the Student Union will be putting into place, literature displays in each of the College centres. These displays will provide support materials from a variety of organizations and associations on health education, how to quit smoking, and how to help someone quit smoking.

A new program will also be offered at the College. SWITCH is hosted by the Canadian Cancer Society-PEI Division, supported by PETRA and funded by Health Canada. SWITCH exists in Island high schools and is now being extended to Holland College and UPEI. This student-led club provides an opportunity for young people to gain knowledge of the negative effects of the tobacco industry, volunteer experience and acts to prevent tobacco use and support people who want to quit. Julia Hodge, a Holland College Tourism and Travel student, is the student coordinator for Holland College.

The college website will also provide students, faculty and staff with a number of resources including information and links to:

• The PEI Cancer Society
• The PEI Lung Association
• CSFPEI, the Council for a Smoke-Free Prince Edward Island
• PETRA, the PEI Tobacco Reduction Alliance
• Health Canada
• Sport, Recreation and Facilities Association and
• Smokers Helpline.

Smoking is the number one preventable cause of illness, disease and death in Canada and the health of our students, faculty and staff is the number one priority for the College. The success of this new tobacco-free environment policy will depend on all of us. We look forward to working with everyone to ensure its success.

Thank you.