For many years the college has been committed to providing a healthy environment, and the move towards becoming tobacco free began in 1990, when all buildings became tobacco free. That policy was expanded in the late 1990s, at the request of non-smoking faculty, staff, and students, to restrict outdoor smoking to select designated smoking areas. In 1998, the college implemented a Tobacco Education campaign, which included pamphlets and posters.
It has been the leadership of Dr. Dan Struble, who arrived as Montreat College's president in 2004, that has pushed many health and wellness issues to the forefront, and his leadership has been the driving force in developing the No Tobacco Use policy.
The Tobacco Free Campus initiative will officially go into effect on August 1, 2008, but in the months leading up to that date, the college community will be informed and educated about the policy.
In addition to providing money for education and information about the policy, the grant provides support for cessation programs as needed for faculty, staff, and students. The grant also pays for a staff position to coordinate and implement the program, and Mrs. Keri Boer has been employed in that position. Her office is located in Belk Campus center in the student services area, and individuals who need cessation assistance should contact her.