Oct. 1 - butt out at MCC!

Your smoking habit is about to become very expensive at McHenry County College. Now we know why they shifted over from a campus security department to a Police Department and bought that high-speed Ford Interceptor.

On October 1 (that's Saturday), MCC goes smokeless. According to the Northwest Herald (good thing, too, since there is no notice prominently displayed on the MCC website), not even electronic cigarettes will be allowed.

What will it cost you to sneak a smoke? How about $50 for the first violation and $100 for the second? Can't kick the habit? Maybe getting socked up to $250 per smoke after that will empty your pockets of what was your money for smokes.

Here's what Big Sister says, "The only way to protect people who are choosing to live a healthy lifestyle and not smoke is to have a tobacco-free environment."

Now, I don't like second-hand smoke, whether it's inside or clouding up a doorway into a building. But I also don't like ripping off students, staff and faculty with $50-100-250 fines. Where's the court? On campus? Is the fine by administrative action? Will they refuse to graduate you, if you have an unpaid fine?

Read the new policy here: http://www.mchenry.edu/Policy/TobaccoFreeCampusProcedure.pdf  MCC "strictly prohibits the use of all tobacco products on or in any College-owned property."

Does possession constitute "use"? You'd better find out, if you smoke. "In or on" means buildings, vehicles, parking lot, etc. If you are smoking in your car in the parking lot, ka-ching!!! $50.00 (or more). Is the "Ring Road" on College-owned property, or is it County or Crystal Lake (City) jurisdiction? Find out ahead of time.

Be sure to read the Definition.

And, if you see one of the cops smoking in one of the police cars (or his own vehicle), what can you do? Can you photograph him? You'd better not videotape him, or you'll find yourself face-down in the parking lot, while he writes you a ticket for eavesdropping.