Northwest Florida State College is tobacco-free

NICEVILLE — Northwest Florida State College campuses and centers are tobacco-free as of Jan. 1 after the college's trustees unanimously approved in June 2018. Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including e-cigarettes, vaping and smokeless tobacco) are prohibited at all NWF facilities, properties, and vehicles, owned or leased, regardless of location. 

The Northwest Florida State College Tobacco Free Task Force was formed in September 2015 at the request of the Student Government Association.

The NWF Tobacco Free Task Force’s purpose is to strengthen community awareness with the vision of a safe, healthy campus of tobacco-free adults. The task force obtained 54 letters of support from faculty and staff along with a petition containing 211 signatures from students in support of a tobacco-free college. All 28 colleges within the Florida College System were surveyed to determine their level of tobacco use on campus. 

“It is very exciting to see the efforts that have been made by NWF State College administration to best represent their students,” said NWF Student Government Association President Drew Hannah. “We are very grateful to the Board of Trustees and Dr. Stephenson for creating a healthier environment at NWF.” 

NWF pays 100 percent of the cost of medical insurance for all full-time employees. Health insurance costs are rising annually at a rate of between 5 and 7 percent, and there is a health insurance “loss ratio” at NWF that is 5.5 percent higher than the average in the Florida College System (95 percent vs. 89.5 percent average). 

“Improving the health of our employees by reducing or eliminating the use of tobacco is a high priority for the college, both from a well-being and cost perspective,” said NWF President Dr. Devin Stephenson. “The intention is to make a healthy impact on the lives of our students, employees and the community.”

Additional information is at www.nwfsc.edu/tobacco-free/.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Northwest Florida State College is tobacco-free