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Tobacco and Smoking Cessation

Every year, 400,000 Americans die from tobacco, including 1,500 Idahoans. Tobacco users know the risks, and quitting can be extremely difficult. But there is help available.

From educational classes to helpful medications that can be prescribed by your physician to free nicotine patches, there are many options available.

Below are links to some resources that you can access now. Pick a quit date and announce it to your friends and relatives and your journey toward better health can begin today.

  • Contact North Idaho College Student Health and Wellness for tobacco cessation information.  Full-time students receive a number of free medical services at the NIC clinic.  Why wait?  Contact NIC Health and Counseling Senior Administrative Assistant Services Stacy Smith at Stacy.Smith@nic.edu.
  • Idaho Panhandle Health District Office of Public Health offers tobacco cessation classes. To schedule an appointment or for more information, contact them at (208) 415-5143.
  • The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare offers the "Idaho Tobacco Prevention Control Program."  This program, called "Project Filter," provides free resources to help you quit tobacco for good, including Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) options. Take advantage of their free offer today and receive support and assistance to quit.
  • Idaho Quit Line offers free counseling and resources for you right now. "Getting free nicotine patches, gum or lozenges is as easy as 1, 2, 3..." Go to the website to enroll in the Project Filter program and begin your quitting plan today.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - "I'm Ready to Quit!" The CDC offers a guide to help you quit smoking, including reasons to quit, steps to quit, tips on handling cravings, medications that can help and what to do if you slip. Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW or visit the CDC "I'm Ready to Quit" website for more information.

Tobacco-Free College Guideline

Purpose Statement:
The purpose of this guideline is to reduce harm from secondhand smoke, to provide an environment that encourages individuals to be tobacco-free and to establish a college culture of wellness. To ensure a safe and healthy environment for its students, employees and visitors, North Idaho College is a tobacco-free college. Smoking, tobacco use and tobacco sales (including the use or sales of smokeless tobacco products) are prohibited on North Idaho College owned, operated or leased properties, including parking lots, walkways, sidewalks, sports venues and college-owned and private vehicles parked or operated on college property.

For the purposes of this guideline, tobacco is defined as any type of tobacco product including but not limited to cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, electronic cigarettes, pipes, hookahs, smokeless or spit tobacco or snuff/snus.

The tobacco-free college guideline may not apply to specific activities (e.g. the practice of cultural activities by American Indians that are in accordance with the American Indian Religious Freedom Act; specific educational events where smoking is integral to artistic content). Each exception must be approved in advance by the college president or designee and may occur for the duration of the event and within the parameters specified.

North Idaho College reserves the right to initiate disciplinary procedures against any individual found to be in continuous violation of this guideline.

Procedure Statement
North Idaho College is committed to maintaining a healthy and safe environment conducive to learning for all students, employees and visitors. The purpose of the tobacco-free college guideline is to reduce harm from second-hand smoke, to provide an environment that encourages individuals to be tobacco-free and to establish a college culture of wellness.

NIC Guideline prohibits the use, distribution or sale of all tobacco products, including traditional cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, electronic cigarettes, pipes, hookahs, smokeless or spit tobacco or snuff/snus. It applies to all areas of the NIC College and all NIC Activities including:

  • NIC-owned residences including the Residence Hall
  • The North Idaho College beach front
  • All NIC-owned or NIC-leased vehicles
  • The sale of tobacco products on college properties
  • The free distribution of tobacco products on college properties
  • The acceptance of money or gifts from tobacco companies
  • Tobacco advertisements in college-sponsored publications

Implementation and Enforcement
Effective implementation of the NIC Tobacco-free College Guideline depends upon the courtesy, respect and cooperation of all members of the NIC community.
Year-one implementation and enforcement activities include:

  1. The guideline will be communicated to the public through the college website, advertisements and media coverage.
  2. Signs declaring a tobacco-free college will be posted at all college entrances, drives and conspicuous places, including outreach facilities.
  3. Employees and students will be advised of the provisions of this guideline upon hire and during orientation.
  4. Educational materials and programs will be created and distributed.
  5. Marketing materials will be created and distributed.
  6. Courtesy tickets and educational/wellness materials will be issued to violators by student leaders, administrators, staff and College Security.
  7. Supervisors will enforce the policies with their employees by providing warnings and educational/wellness materials.
  8. Visitors or other non-employees will be politely informed of the guideline and provided with information explaining the guideline in a supportive and educational manner.

Evaluation and Next Steps:

  1. At the midpoint and at the end of the first year, the success of the guideline will be reviewed.
  2. If the program is viable, manageable and enforceable, it may be reconsidered as a potential college policy.

Enforcement Protocol:

  1. College Security officers will use their discretion when enforcing this guideline and may issue a written warning, citation or fine.
  2. Educational/wellness materials and programs will continue.
    1. Continued non-compliance, complaints or disputes resulting from enforcement of this guideline will be brought to the attention of College Security.
    2. If resolution is not reached, employees who violate the guideline are subject to disciplinary action by the Director of Human Resources, with disciplinary action to be determined at the end of the initial implementation year.
    3. If resolution is not reached, students who violate the guideline are subject to disciplinary action by the Dean of Students, with disciplinary action to be determined at the end of the initial implementation year.
  3. Visitors or other non-employees will be politely informed of the guideline and provided with information explaining the guideline in a supportive and educational manner. Continued non-compliance may result in College Security issuing a warning or escorting the visitor from the premises. 

Cessation Programs and Services:
Tools will be available to assist in cessation for each group, and the college will advertise and promote opportunities for free tobacco cessation programs and treatment. These tobacco cessation opportunities shall be publicized regularly in student and employee publications, posted in residence halls and academic buildings, throughout Student Services or other appropriate means.