Cuesta College to become smoke-free campus in 2019

Cuesta College will become a smoke- and tobacco-free district beginning in 2019, according to a school news release.

Smoking is currently permitted in designated areas of the San Luis Obispo and North County campuses.

The process to becoming a tobacco-free campus began in 2016, when Cuesta College was awarded a $7,500 grant by the Truth Initiative, a nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating the use of tobacco.

An official policy was approved by the college's Board of Trustees in December 2017, the release said.

In an effort to educate the college community about the new policy, the San Luis Obispo campus will hold a "Pick Up The Butts" event from 11 a.m. until noon on April 18.

The school also has partnered with the SLO County Public Health Department to offer a free six-week smoking cessation course beginning April 11. Registration is available online and walk-ins are welcome.

This story was originally published April 6, 2018 at 4:33 PM with the headline "Cuesta College to become smoke-free campus in 2019."