Based on a recent survey of Lone Star College-Kingwood students, faculty, and employees and in light of new information about the increasing health risks of secondhand smoke, administrators have approved a new smoking ban policy to be implemented on campus. Effective January 1, 2010, smoking will only be allowed in three designated smoking shelters, located by the parking lots where others will not have to be exposed to second-hand smoke.
“When our campus conducted its own smoking survey in September, almost 400 students and employees responded,” said LSC-Kingwood President, Katherine Persson. “Eighty-three percent of the respondents indicated that second-hand smoke was a concern for them with 73 percent of the respondents concerned about long-term health effects. While the respondent’s preferred smoking policy is to ban smoking everywhere on the LSC-Kingwood campus, more indicated that the best policy for us is to allow smoking only in shelters built for that purpose.”
A report released last month by the American Heart Association noted that “one year after passing smoking bans, communities in North America and Europe had 17 percent fewer heart attacks compared to communities without smoking restrictions.” Furthermore, according to the American Heart Association’s Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics 2009 Update, non-smokers exposed to second-hand smoke at home or at work have a 25-30 percent increased risk of developing heart disease.
The college will roll out a smoking cessation information program this month to coincide with the Great American Smoke Out on Nov. 19. Students in the LSC-Kingwood Respiratory Care program will be preparing an anti-smoking campaign to help educate the student body about the necessity for a ban on nicotine use. Presentations and exhibits will be on display throughout the day to increase community awareness on the hazards of cigarette smoke. For more information, visit our Web site at LoneStar.edu/Kingwood.
Register for spring 2010 credit classes beginning Nov. 9 in one of three ways: phone, online or on campus. Classes are offered days, evenings, or weekends in traditional, Internet, video, TV and independent study formats. Current students can register by telephone at 281-519-6625. Former and current students can register online at LoneStar.edu/registration.
Lone Star College System consists of five colleges, including LSC-CyFair, LSC-Kingwood, LSC-Montgomery, LSC-North Harris, and LSC-Tomball, six centers, LSC-University Center, LSC-University Park, Lone Star Corporate College, and LSC-Online. With more than 51,000 students in credit classes last fall, LSCS is the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area and third largest community college system in Texas. To learn more, visit LoneStar.edu.
