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Tobacco-Free Campus Policy

I. TITLE

Tobacco-free Campus Policy

II. POLICY

1. Purpose

The purpose of this policy and procedure is to provide guidelines for the implementation of a policy on the prohibition of tobacco use on the campus of Texas Wesleyan University.

2. Background and Rationale

Cigarette smoking causes more than 480,000 deaths each year in the United States. This is about one in five deaths. (CDC 2014). Use of cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, cigars, pipes and other tobacco products lead to disease and death. In addition to causing direct health hazards, smoking and smokeless tobacco use contribute to institutional costs in other ways, including fire damage, cleaning and maintenance costs and costs associated with employee and student absenteeism, healthcare and medical insurance. Therefore, this policy is designed to include all tobacco products. Because there is no safe tobacco product, the only logical action is to promote a campus that is tobacco free. It is the policy of Texas Wesleyan University to promote the health, well-being and safety of students, faculty, staff and visitors while on the campus. Tobacco use and second hand smoke have been identified by the Surgeon General to be the cause of preventable diseases. Texas Wesleyan University encourages students, faculty and staff to support and use tobacco cessation programs. Texas Wesleyan University welcomes students of all ages through a variety of campus programs. In order to support the health and welfare of visitors of all ages the campus will be free of tobacco use and second hand smoke.

3. Effective Aug. 20, 2014, the use of tobacco products (including cigarettes, cigars, pipes, smokeless tobacco, electronic cigarettes and other tobacco products) by students, faculty, staff and visitors are prohibited on all Texas Wesleyan University properties. Limited and appropriate individual exceptions may be considered by the president of the institution or by the president's designee who, in considering whether to grant the exception, will review any sponsored research requirements and ensure that the exception is in support of the mission of the institution.

4. The use of tobacco products (including cigarettes, cigars, pipes, smokeless tobacco, electronic cigarettes, or other tobacco products) is prohibited:

  1. In all interior space on Texas Wesleyan University campuses
  2. On all outside property or grounds of Texas Wesleyan University campus including partially enclosed areas such as walkways, breezeways and bus shelters ("campus" includes the main campus, all satellite locations and all other buildings or facilities leased off the main Texas Wesleyan University campus)
  3. In Texas Wesleyan University vehicles, including buses, vans and all other university vehicles
  4. In all indoor and outdoor athletic facilities, as well as the grandstands of outdoor facilities
  5. In any building or structure owned, leased or controlled by Texas Wesleyan University

5. The use of tobacco products (including cigarettes, cigars, pipes, smokeless tobacco, electronic cigarettes or other tobacco products) is allowed for use in personal vehicles, provided:

  1.  the windows are closed;
  2. all tobacco waste products are properly disposed of within the vehicle.

6. The university prohibits the campus-controlled advertising, sale, or free sampling of tobacco products on campus.

7. Littering the campus with remains of tobacco products or any other disposable product is prohibited.

8. Organizers and attendees at public events, such as conferences, meetings, public lectures, social events, cultural events and sporting events using Texas Wesleyan University facilities will be required to abide by the tobacco-free policy and procedure. Organizers of such events are responsible for communicating the policy to attendees and for enforcing this policy.

9. Campus organizations are prohibited from accepting money or gifts from tobacco companies.

10. Education and Awareness

The implementation of this policy is augmented by an education and awareness campaign that may include but not be limited to:

  1. notification to prospective students and staff/faculty hires;
  2. informational meetings, postings and email notifications;
  3. publication in staff/faculty human resources manuals, student guides and handbooks and appropriate web sites;
  4. educational campaigns employing classmates and colleagues;
  5. ongoing smoking cessation programs;
  6. establish culture of compliance through peer oversight.

11. Communication of Policy

Signs bearing the message "Tobacco-free Campus" will be posed at each of Texas Wesleyan University vehicular and pedestrian entrances (as applicable), and each building will display a decal that states “Tobacco Free Facility.” However, tobacco-free zones apply on the grounds around all Texas Wesleyan University, whether or not signs are posted. No ashtrays or smoking shelters will be provided on campuses of Texas Wesleyan University.

12. Tobacco Use Cessation Programs

The University is committed to support all students and employees who wish to stop using tobacco products. Assistance to students, faculty and staff to overcome addiction to tobacco products is available through Human Resources and Student Health Services. Referrals to cessation services are encouraged.

13. Compliance

Adherence to the policy cited above is the responsibility of all students, faculty, staff and visitors. It is expected that all students, faculty, staff and visitors to campus comply with this policy. Members of our campus community are empowered to respectfully inform others about the policy in an ongoing effort to enhance awareness and encourage a culture of compliance. An individual who feels that there has been a violation of this policy may invoke the following actions:

  1. The individual should attempt to resolve the problem informally by requesting that the individual comply with the policy.
  2. If direct appeal fails and the behavior persists, the individual should contact Security, the Office of Human Resources or Office of the Vice President of Enrollment and Student Services for referral to the appropriate administrative official.
  3. Repeat offenses by the same person shall be dealt with through already established administrative/disciplinary policies and procedures. Violations could result in referral to the appropriate university officials for disciplinary action in accordance with established student, staff and/or faculty codes of conduct and procedures.

III. RELEVANT Texas Wesleyan University POLICIES, PROCEDURES and FORMS

Texas Wesleyan University Student Handbook, Code of Student Conduct and Discipline VII.

VI. WHO SHOULD KNOW

Students, faculty, staff and visitors on Texas Wesleyan University's main campus, all satellite locations and all other locations as listed in II.D.

VII. TEXAS WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY OFFICER(S) RESPONSIBLE FOR POLICY

Security, the Director of Human Services and the Vice President of Enrollment and Student Services.

VIII. DATES APPROVED OR AMENDED

Effective Aug. 20, 2014