Skip to main contentSkip to main navigationSkip to footer content

Smoking

District Smoking Policy

  1. Pierce College is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy work and educational environment for all faculty, staff, students, and visitors. Pierce College establishes the following no smoking policy, consistent with chapters RCW 70.345.150 (1)(a) and RCW 70.160 (I-901), to protect individuals from exposure to second-hand smoke in their college-associated environments and to protect life and property against fire hazards. "Smoke" or "smoking" refers to the carrying or smoking of any kind of lighted pipe, cigar, cigarette, electronic cigarette, or any other lighted smoking equipment. This policy also includes “smoke related” products including but not limited to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, vapes, smokeless tobacco, Zyn pouches, pipes, water pipes, hookahs, chewing tobacco, vaporizers, and snuff.
    1. Except as provided in subsection (1)(b) of this section, smoking of all kinds is prohibited in all college facilities, including, but not limited to, college owned/leased vehicles, inside all buildings owned, leased, or operated by the college and/or used by the college's faculty, staff, students, or visitors, and at any outside areas or locations, including, but not limited to, bus shelters, benches, and walkways on college property.
    2. Smoking may be permitted at specific designated outdoor locations approved by the college in accordance with RCW 70.160. Signage identifies the designated locations.
    3. Violations of this policy by students, employees, or visitors are subject to enforcement by Campus Safety in accordance with RCW 70.345.150 (1)(a) and RCW 70.160.070. In addition, any student or employee who violates the college’s smoking policy may be subject to disciplinary action. After the first offense, students and employees will be subjected to disciplinary action through the student code of conduct or Human Resources.

This smoking policy is also published in WAC 132K-280.

Updated July 2026