Santa Barbara City College Bans Smoking

Santa Barbara City College no longer allows smoking on campus. The tobacco-free smoke-free policy started Aug. 5th. Before the change, students and staff were only allowed to smoke in a few designated areas.

Campus administrators cited hazards from secondhand smoke and cigarette butts and tobacco-related trash as reasons for the change.

Opinions on campus about the change are split. NewsChannel 3 talked with students who felt they had no choice but to breathe secondhand smoke prior to the policy change. Other students said the designated smoking spots were enough to keep smokers and non-smokers happy.

College President Lori Gaskin said they’ve only had to remind a handful of students about the new policy.