PS-01.A.09 - Smoke Free and Tobacco Free Environment
EFFECTIVE DATE: April 16, 2021
ISSUE#: 6
PRESIDENT: Dr. Loren J. Blanchard
PURPOSE
This Policy Statement addresses the use of tobacco products as well as smokeless tobacco, electronic cigarettes or similar devices on university property.
DEFINITIONS
2.1 Designated Smoking/Tobacco Use Areas – approved locations, designated by signage where smoking/tobacco use is permitted.
2.2 Tobacco Products: All forms of tobacco, including but not limited to cigarettes, cigars, pipes, water pipes (hookahs), bidis, kreteks, electronic cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, snuff, chewing tobacco, and any non-Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved nicotine delivery device.
2.3 Tobacco Uses: Including but not limited to smoking, chewing, dipping, or any other ingesting, consumption, or bodily intake of tobacco products.
2.4 University Property: Property located within the State of Texas that is owned, operated, leased, occupied, or controlled by the University. For purposes of this policy statement, this includes but is not limited to all buildings, structures, vehicles, sidewalks, parking lots, walkways, and attached parking structures owned or controlled by the University.
POLICY
3.1 Tobacco use is prohibited in the following areas:
3.1.1 University buildings owned, operated, leased, occupied, or controlled by the university.
3.1.2 University grounds, including parking lots and garages, sidewalks, walkways, fields, sports and recreational areas, and other outdoor areas.
3.1.3 State-owned vehicles or in vehicles leased or rented in the name of the university.
3.1.4 Shuttle buses, escort vans, or in any type of campus utility vehicle.
3.2 Tobacco use is permitted outside of university buildings in designated smoking areas, which are at a minimum of 25 feet from any doorway, building entrance, or air intake. The department of Environmental Health and Safety, in cooperation with the Police Department and university administration, is responsible for designating smoking/tobacco use areas.
3.3 The sale or free distribution of tobacco products or merchandise on university property is prohibited.
3.4 This policy applies to all employees, students, independent contractors, and visitors at all times.
3.5 This policy does not apply to smokeless nicotine replacement therapy products (e.g. skin patches, lozenges, and gum).
3.6 Compliance with this policy will be obtained through education and respect for the rights of others. Violations will be referred to the appropriate administrative unit.
PROCEDURES
There are no procedures associated with this policy
REVIEW PROCESS
Responsible Party: (Reviewer): Vice President for Administration and Finance
Review: Every two years on or before February 1st .
Signed original on file in Human Resources.
POLICY HISTORY
Issue #1: 08/15/1992
Issue #2: 07/28/1998
Issue #3: 02/05/2007
Issue #4: 05/21/2015
Issue #5: 05/03/2019
REFERENCES
There are no references associated with this policy