Tobacco-Free Campus Policy

The University is committed to providing a safe and healthy living/learning/working environment for the students, faculty, staff and visitors by minimizing the negative effects of secondhand smoke, improving fire safety and encouraging a more sustainable environment.

The negative health effects of tobacco use have been well documented over the last 50 years since the original Surgeon General's report in 1964. Those negative effects pose public health concerns in a school environment as well. The U.S government's Healthy People 2020 also lists tobacco-related illness as a top health determinant that negatively affects the lives of citizens.

Tobacco use is prohibited on all University property, both indoors and outdoors, and in University-owned vehicles. The Tobacco-Free Campus Policy applies to all forms of tobacco, including but not limited to cigarettes, cigars, pipes, water pipes (hookahs), chew, electronic cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products. The policy is applicable 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Accordingly:

Definitions

Exceptions

Communications

Copies of this policy will be distributed to all faculty and staff and will be included with information given to all admitted students. Announcements also will be included in campus newspapers to insure that everyone understands the policy. Tobacco-free signs will be posted at all points of entry to on University property and at all University building entrances.

Please Note: This policy applies to all University property whether or not such notices are posted. No ashtrays shall be provided at any location on campus.

Organizers of and attendees at public events, such as conferences, meetings, public lectures, social events, cultural events and sporting events and non-University events held on campus property must abide by this policy. Organizers of such events are responsible for informing attendees of this policy.

Support: On-site tobacco-cessation programs will be made available to assist and encourage individuals who wish to quit using tobacco. Questions and problems regarding this policy should be handled through existing departmental administrative channels and administrative procedures.

Enforcement: The success of this policy will depend on the thoughtfulness, consideration and cooperation of smokers and nonsmokers. All students, faculty, staff and visitors share in the responsibility for adhering to and enforcing this policy. Violations of the policy will be treated in accordance with general campus disciplinary procedures.

An individual may inform someone using tobacco on campus property of this policy and request that the tobacco user complies with the policy. Noncompliant individuals who are perceived as threatening or violent may be referred to Public Safety. Individuals also may report policy violations through the online form found on the Tobacco-Free Campus website.

Individuals found to be noncompliant will be subject to existing campus disciplinary measures:

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