Student Life Policies

12.5 SMOKING POLICY

Revision Approved by University Life Committee January 23, 2008

1.0 POLICY ON SMOKING

1.1 PURPOSE AND BACKGROUND: Smoking poses a significant risk to the health of both smokers and nonsmokers. Secondhand smoke can be annoying and a health hazard to the nonsmoker in the workplace. It can be particularly harmful to individuals with heart and respiratory diseases or allergies related to tobacco smoke. In the interest of the comfort, health, and safety of all its faculty, staff, and students, the University is required by State law to follow the rules regarding smoking.

2.0 DEFINITIONS

2.1 "Smoke", "smokes", or "smoking" includes:
2.1.1 carrying or holding a lighted pipe, cigar, or cigarette of any kind or any other lighted smoking material, equipment, or device;
2.1.2 lighting a pipe, cigar, or cigarette of any kind or any other smoking material, equipment, or device;
2.1.3 emitting or exhaling the smoke of a pipe, cigar, or cigarette of any kind or any other smoking material, equipment or device.
2.2 "State vehicle" means a vehicle owned by the university.
2.3 "State agency" includes an agency in any branch of state government including institutions of higher education.

3.0 APPLICABILITY

3.1 This policy shall apply to all University controlled/owned property, except the University Forest Apartments.

4.0 POLICY

4.1 The University shall be a smoke free campus except for officially posted designated smoking areas.
4.2 This policy applies equally to all University faculty, staff, students, all third party workers and visitors.
4.3 Smoking is prohibited in University buildings with the exception of participants in approved theatrical performances.
4.4 Smoking is prohibited in University owned vehicles.

5.0 IMPLEMENTATION

5.1 "No smoking" signs, which are large and numerous, will be conspicuously displayed at the entrance to all University buildings.
5.2 Appropriate signs will be prominently displayed at the designated smoking entrances.
5.3 Ashtrays, which cannot be physically moved, will be located in designated smoking areas.

6.0 ENFORCEMENT

6.1 This policy relies on the thoughtfulness, consideration, and cooperation of smokers and nonsmokers for its success.
6.2 The enforcement of the University smoking policy will rely heavily on a shared responsibility of each member of the university community. As members of this community, it will be our responsibility to help educate one another and guests with regards to our smoking policy, to include directing them to the appropriate smoking areas. If community members or guest fail to adhere to our smoking policy, university police can be contacted.

Attachment to the Smoking Policy
Information Item

1. In each of the following designated smoking areas there is a state-mandated non-smoking zone, which extends ten feet outward from the entry doors:
1.1 Arbor Building: The South entrance closest to the microwave tower.
1.2 Bayou Building: The 1500 entrance, the covered patio area behind the Patio Café, and the Central Plant entrance from Lot D.
1.3 Central Services Building: All entrances, excluding the main entrances at the front of the building;
1.4 Delta Building: Entrance from Lot J.
1.5 Student Services Classroom Building (SSCB): The North entrance will temporarily be designated as a smoking area. This smoking area designation will be modified when a permanent structure (covered and screened) for smoking is built in the North Plaza of the Student Services Classroom Building.