Bill Would Ban Cigarettes, Vaping at California College Campuses
Assembly member Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento) has introduced a bill (AB 1594) that would ban traditional and electronic cigarettes on California State University and community college campuses, the Sacramento Bee reports.
Background
According to the Bee, the University of California system has enforced a blanket ban on smoking and vaping since 2014. However, individual CSU and community college schools set their own policies for doing so.
Six of CSU's 23 schools already ban smoking, and a systemwide proposal is being developed (White, "Capitol Alert," Sacramento Bee, 1/8).
Details of Bill
Under the bill, the governing bodies of CSU and each community college district would have the authority to set standards for enforcing a cigarette and e-cigarette ban.
The bill also would authorize campuses to impose a fine of no more than $100 to enforce the ban. Proceeds from such fines would be used to support:
- Campus operations;
- Education about and promotion of the ban; and
- Tobacco cessation treatment options (AB 1594, 1/6).
McCarty said that the "bill pushes the envelope by having a uniform state policy sooner rather than later," adding, "College campuses should be healthy environments to learn" ("Capitol Alert," Sacramento Bee, 1/8).
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