Update: May 31, 2008
Starting May 31, 2008 all Port Authority-owned and leased property at the Central Ohio Aerospace and Technology Center campus, became tobacco-free.

Smoking and tobacco use are now prohibited.

Signs have been posted at both main entrances and on entry doors.

Ash receptacles have been removed from the entire campus.

As during the nearly four-month lead up to adoption of the new policy, smoking cessation services have been offered by the Port Authority and on-site employers. Those offers still stand for anyone considering quitting. Contact the Port Authority's Dave Handley (788-5500 ext. 26) to sign up for the next free course.

Update: May 2008
A countdown graphic displays the days, hours, minutes, and seconds until the COATC Tobacco-Free Campus Policy is in full affect. When it shows zero, the policy is fully in affect.

Recreation is a way to avoid those unwanted pounds that tend to come with quitting smoking. To help, the Heath Rec Center is making a special offer of $10 off a three month membership through May. Also, the Port Authority opened the new dedicated walking path this month as well.

Update: April 2008
A smoking cessation class will be offered free to COATC personnel.

Starting May 1, a four-week Smoking Cessation Class will be held in the meeting room at the Flight Line Cafe starting at 1 p.m. The class is part of a comprehensive program of smoking cessation services available from Licking Memorial Hospital affiliate The Breathing Association.

The classes will be one-day-a-week for four weeks in each small group class. Classes would be offered before the May 31 start of the new policy as well as after.

Individualized sessions in concert with the group classes are encouraged. These are also available from The Breathing Association and, in many cases, are eligible under employer medical insurance plans. Contact your Base employer for more information.

Finally, for those that prefer, The Breathing Association also offers off-site classes and individual sessions at an affordable price that may also be medical insurance eligible.

February 2008
For several months now behind the scenes, the Port Authority has gone back and forth with the County Health Department about the two glass-enclosed smoker huts at The Base. A mid-December letter indicated changes must be made or the Port Authority could face a citation.

The enclosed huts are out of compliance with the state law put in place by voters in November 2006 that banned smoking in enclosed areas. Though a structural review of the huts was done, the fix could tend to push the enclosures, again, out of compliance.

The status quo is no longer an option.

After tenant management input and the recognition that our customers' leadership would support a change, the Port Authority opted to begin the move to a tobacco-free campus. The following is underway to implement a campus-wide tobacco ban:

   The two glass enclosed smoker huts were removed in mid February after being sold on the Port Authority's auction website. Designated smoking areas remain at two on-site gazebos.

   A new policy has been published to make the entire COATC campus “tobacco-free” starting May 31, 2008. This will bring about the removal of all on-campus ash receptacles and conversion of the other designated smoking areas to non-smoking as well.

   The policy can be enforced by the Ohio Dept. of Health and its agents, on-campus employers, and with the cooperation of our personnel and visitors. The Port Authority will set an example by amending its personnel policy to prohibit our employees from smoking on the COATC campus. Further, we will encourage all COATC employers to do the same.

   Between now and the full implementation of this new policy, the Port Authority will partner with The Breathing Association, affiliated with Licking Memorial Hospital, to offer educational programming and access to individualized smoker cessation services. Look for an information session in coming weeks and the on-site smoking cessation programs coming soon.

As Port Authority Director Rick Platt said in announcing this policy in the Port Authority's Weekly Column, "I don’t expect this decision to be popular. However, several issues, as outlined, are forcing a tough choice be made."