FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

91社区 Policy

  • What does having the Tobacco- and Smoke-Free 91社区 policy mean?
    The Tobacco- and Smoke-Free 91社区 policy means that no tobacco use will be allowed on any 91社区 owned, operated or leased property, and the University will not advertise or allow tobacco to be sold on any of its owned, operated or leased property.
  • What is the definition of 鈥渢obacco?鈥
    Tobacco is defined as all tobacco and tobacco-derived products intended for human consumption, including but not limited to, cigarettes, electronic nicotine delivery systems (vaping), juuls, cigars, hookah-smoked products, clove cigarettes, bidis, kreteks, smokeless tobacco and snus. This definition does not include any product that has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for sale as a tobacco use cessation product.
  • Does 91社区 have the right to tell me I can鈥檛 use tobacco products on campus property?
    91社区 has a responsibility to establish policies that positively affect the health and well-being of all students, faculty, staff, vendors, volunteers and visitors. A Tobacco- and Smoke-Free 91社区 policy does not prohibit tobacco use; it merely establishes where use can and cannot occur. Tobacco is legal for adults to purchase and consume.
  • Are electronic-cigarettes (e-cigs) permitted?
    E-cigs and all other electronic nicotine delivery devices are not permitted. There is insufficient evidence that these devices positively affect smoking and they are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration as smoking cessation devices, therefore cannot be used on 91社区 property. They contain tobacco flavoring and so are prohibited under our policy.
  • Are hookahs and other devices for smoking tobacco permitted?
    Using hookahs or any other device to smoke tobacco is prohibited. Additionally, using hookahs to smoke non-tobacco products is also prohibited.
  • Is smokeless tobacco, such as chew, permitted?
    All forms of tobacco are prohibited. The health risks associated with "chew" as well as other smokeless tobacco products are well documented.
  • Can I smoke in my car on campus?
    The policy prohibits the use of tobacco while in personal, state or contractor/company-owned vehicles on University property.
  • Does the policy apply at University-sanctioned events or sporting activities occurring on off-campus property?
    The Tobacco-and Smoke-Free 91社区 policy applies only to University-owned, operated or leased property. Events or activities scheduled elsewhere are bound by the policies or rules of the event coordinator or property manager of those locations.
  • How does adopting the Tobacco- and Smoke-Free 91社区 policy clean up the environment?
    • Environmental tobacco exposes bystanders to numerous harmful chemicals.
    • Cigarette butts are the most littered item in the world with 1.7 billion pounds of cigarette butts littered worldwide each day.
    • Cigarette butts are a fire hazard, increase University maintenance expenses and can be eaten by dogs, birds and other animals.
    • Filters are non-biodegradable and can take five to 10 years to decompose.
    • Chemicals (e.g. hydrogen-cyanide, arsenic, etc.) in cigarette butts leak into the soil and water.
  • Is there really a health risk if people are allowed to smoke outside?
    Yes, there really is a health risk. The Surgeon General has found there is no safe level of second-hand smoke. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, second-hand smoke contains more than 4,000 substances, several of which are known to cause cancer in humans and animals. As 91社区 strives to become the healthiest university on the globe, it is imperative that we consider the impact of tobacco on the health and well-being of our faculty, staff, students, vendors, volunteers and visitors.
  • How will 91社区 enforce the tobacco- and smoke-free policy?
    The University鈥檚 vision for the enforcement of the tobacco-free campus policy is one in which a tobacco- and smoke-free campus is viewed as the shared responsibility of all those in the campus community 鈥 tobacco users and non-users alike. Individuals are encouraged and empowered to respectfully inform others about the policy in an ongoing effort to support individuals to be tobacco- and smoke-free, improve individual health and encourage a culture of compliance; however, substantiated chronic violations are subject to appropriate disciplinary action.
  • What are the boundaries of the University for the purposes of defining University property?
    The boundaries include any property owned, operated or leased by 91社区. This includes and is not limited to all buildings and structures; sidewalks; parking lots; walkways, attached parking structures and University-owned, operated or leased vehicles. University community members are encouraged to respect neighbors of the University.
  • Are there exceptions to the policy?

Student, Faculty and Staff 

  • Are there resources to help employees and students quit using tobacco?
  • Can I go off campus during my breaks to smoke?

    Yes. Employees can leave campus during scheduled breaks. Hourly staff should be mindful of the length of their breaks in accordance with their department鈥檚 attendance policy. The length and time of breaks cannot be changed to accommodate tobacco use. 

    Employees should not trespass, loiter or litter on public or private property to smoke during breaks and are asked to respect 91社区鈥檚 neighbors and community. 91社区 is committed to monitoring the impact on adjacent properties as the Tobacco- and Smoke-Free 91社区 policy is implemented.

  • Am I able to attend tobacco-cessation sessions during paid work time?
    The University is supportive of tobacco users who desire to quit using tobacco products. Options for attending tobacco-cessation sessions are based on the department鈥檚 business needs and may include flexible scheduling in accordance with the University鈥檚 work policy and use of leave time policies. Keep in mind there are various types of cessation resources; approval for time away from work to participate in a cessation program is subject to approval by the employee鈥檚 department.
  • How will the University handle employees or students who do not want to stop the use of tobacco products?
    Faculty, staff and students are not required to stop using tobacco products; however, they will not be permitted to use tobacco products on any University property. Similar to regulations which prohibit smoking indoors, individuals must find ways to manage their need for nicotine in ways that do not involve using tobacco on campus.

Reporting

  • What if I see someone using tobacco on campus?
    Being tobacco- and smoke-free promotes a healthier environment in which to live, work and study. Enforcement will depend upon the thoughtfulness, consideration and cooperation of all faculty, staff, students, vendors, volunteers and visitors to comply with the policy and to encourage others to do the same. Anyone who observes a possible violation may courteously and compassionately inform the individual of the Tobacco- and Smoke-Free 91社区 policy.
  • What do I do if my request for someone to stop using tobacco is not effective?
    Our individual responsibility is to educate people about the initiative. Not everyone will feel comfortable approaching someone who is using tobacco. If you choose to approach someone and are met with resistance, you need not press the issue. Specific concerns with regard to noncompliance can be directed to the appropriate contact as indicated in the Tobacco- and Smoke-Free 91社区 policy.
  • As a supervisor, what is my responsibility if I receive reports or observe an employee violating the policy?
    You are empowered to hold employees accountable to University policy expectations. First, explain the expectations outlined in the policy and provide appropriate resources. If there are continued violations, identify the impact of the employee鈥檚 actions and manage it appropriately. You are encouraged to contact Human Resources for help with how to address matters of noncompliance.