In January, all smoking, vaping, and e-cigarettes will be banned from every Red River College​ campus.

Jodi Pluchinski, Director of Safety and Health Services for Red River College, says it was the right thing to do. "We were approached by Cancer Care to see if it was something that Red River would be willing to do.

"There are over 85 post-secondary institutions across Canada that are already doing this, it's time for Red River to do this as well," Pluchinski says.

Red River College is Manitoba's largest institute of applied learning, and also the largest trainer of health care professionals in the province. With multiple campuses, Pluchinski says the biggest impact will be on their Notre Dame location. In the new year, security will be giving out cards to people who are not familiar with or forget the smoke-free environment policy. “We’re proud of these distinctions, and with that pride comes a responsibility to show leadership and set an example by putting an end to smoking and vaping everywhere on campus,” Melanie Gudmundson, Chief Human Resources Officer at Red River College, says.  

"This day and age people aren't surprised that we are going smoke-free."

"We've heard lots of positive feedback. A Manitoba Tobacco Reduction Alliance head reached out to us and they also want to help us with any resources that we may require in order to help with our smoking cessation program that we offer at RRC Notre Dame Campus Health Centre. So, if you want to stop smoking, please come to our Health Centre," Pluchinski says.

"This day and age people aren't surprised that we are going smoke-free. Those who are non-smokers are very happy," Pluchinski says.

RRC had to be very careful and strategic in its policy development. "We wanted to give the staff, students, and faculty the opportunity to understand why we're going smoke-free; that's why we created a lot of the documents and the FAQs," Pluchinski says.

Visitors to campus, including visiting instructors, prospective students, contractors, external clients, etc., will also be prohibited from smoking on RRC property.

"It's really exciting. Red River is just trying to promote that healthy working and learning environment and so far what we are doing is working," Pluchinski says.

Exemptions to the policy will be granted to RRC community members who practice ceremonies such as Smudging and Pipe Ceremonies on campus. Red River College will provide accommodation for the medical use of cannabis on campus in accordance with applicable legislation and policy.