Bow Valley College has been named by Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) as a national leader in reducing tobacco use on campus.

Bow Valley College launched a smoke free campus policy in March, 2018, which addresses the use of tobacco on campus. The policy prohibits smoking on internal and external properties and all designated entrances to the facilities. Smoking is defined as a practice in which a substance is burned and the resulting smoke is to be breathed in, tasted, or inhaled. These guidelines further extend to include the use of all types of E-cigarettes or any other device which emulates the act of smoking which involves the production of airborne contaminants or substances.

“Bow Valley College recognizes the detrimental effects of smoking on health and wellness for all who come into environments where smoke is present. It is important to us to have a smoke-free campus and allow for people to gather in our buildings and on our properties free of concern for smoke inhalation,” says Bow Valley College President Laura Jo Gunter.

“In a diverse environment, we struck a balance between fostering a smoke-free campus and respecting the rights and traditions of Indigenous peoples by designating space on our main campus, where Indigenous cultural ceremonies and traditions can be practiced.”

“We applaud the efforts of Bow Valley College to protect the health of its staff and students and to provide national leadership on this important public health issue” said Les Hagen, executive director of ASH.  “Any campus that is preparing for cannabis legalization should consider adopting a similar comprehensive policy to address the smoking and vaping of all legal substances on campus”.

The health and wellness of employees and learners is a priority for Bow Valley College and the smoke free campus policy supports these efforts on campus. Combined with appropriate signage and continued support from security services, Bow Valley College is now a smoke-free campus.

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For more information, please contact:    
Leigh MacKenzie
Senior Communication Specialist
Bow Valley College
Office: 587-393-2628
Mobile: 403-888-6946
Email: lmackenzie@bowvalleycollege.ca                                                       

About Bow Valley College
Bow Valley College - Calgary and region's only Comprehensive Community College - with more than 15,000 full- and part-time students, is a leader in business and health career training, community studies, creative technologies, adult upgrading, and English Language Learning.