Scope
Faculty, Staff, Students, and Visitors
General Policy Statement
To help ensure a healthy, productive, respectful environment in which to work, learn and live, Syracuse University is committed to providing a smoke- and tobacco-free campus, effective July 1, 2015. While smoking is currently banned in all University buildings, this new, expanded policy prohibits smoking and the use of all tobacco products on property owned, operated, or controlled by the University, indoors and out, except as noted below. It applies to all University students, staff, and faculty, as well as all alumni, volunteers, visitors, contractors and vendors.
- Reason for Policy/Purpose Tobacco use continues to be the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, and the hazards of secondhand smoke are well known. A tobacco-free campus is a clear expression of the University’s investment in the health and well-being of its members and in promoting respect for others and our environment, and aligns closely with the University’s new and ongoing wellness initiatives. It also reflects the University’s commitment to accessibility (some are allergic to or cannot tolerate cigarette smoke or smell) and sustainability.The intent of this policy is to create an environment that is conducive to quitting tobacco, promoting the prevention of tobacco use, and eliminating the risks associated with exposure to secondhand smoke. The University is strongly committed to supporting individuals to become tobacco-free, and tobacco cessation programs and support will be available to faculty, staff, and students who wish to do so.
- Policy Main Policy: To help ensure a healthy, productive, respectful environment in which to work, learn and live, Syracuse University is committed to providing a smoke- and tobacco-free campus, effective July 1, 2015. Smoking is currently banned in all University buildings. This new, expanded policy prohibits smoking and the use of all tobacco products on property owned, operated, or controlled by the University, indoors and out, except as noted below. It applies to all University students, staff, and faculty, as well as all volunteers, visitors, contractors and vendors.Effective the same date, the University also prohibits sponsorship of on- and off-campus events by the tobacco industry, along with the advertising, marketing, distribution, and promotion of tobacco products on property owned, operated, or controlled by the University. The smoke- and tobacco-free policy will be implemented on a phased-in basis as follows:Phase 1: Education/Information/Cessation: There will be an ongoing effort to inform the entire Syracuse University community about the policy and its implementation and to provide increased tobacco cessation services for those interested.Phase 2: Grounds, Facilities, and Locations Tobacco Free as of July 1, 2015 All Syracuse University owned and leased facilities operated for the University’s educational mission and located within the United States. Indoor locations including, but not limited to: residence halls and dining facilities; classrooms; private faculty, staff, student, and administrative offices; computing facilities; laboratories; seminar rooms; libraries; stores; health and recreation facilities; restrooms; stairwells; elevators; lobbies; roofs; and reception areas.Outdoor locations including, but not limited to: parking lots, sidewalks, lawns, athletic fields and complexes, and entrances and exits to buildings.
Vehicles: any University-owned or leased vehicle, as well as personal vehicles on University property located within the United States.
Phase 3: The Carrier Dome and SU Affiliated Corporations, July 2015 to July 2017 The Carrier Dome, Sheraton, Drumlins, and Syracuse Stage will be phased in to the smoke- and tobacco-free policy. The phased exemption for the Carrier Dome will extend to event attendees in parking lots and in transit to and from the Dome.
Phase 4: International properties The policy will be explored for feasibility on SU Affiliated campuses in international settings
Exceptions: Research involving tobacco is an exception to this policy but must be in compliance with other University policies governing research, health and safety. Smoking and tobacco use may be permitted for educational, clinical, artistic, religious or ceremonial purposes with prior approval of the appropriate dean, director, facility manager, Provost or his/her designee and, in the case of smoking, the appropriate University fire/safety officer.
- Compliance and Enforcement Compliance with and enforcement of the policy is the responsibility of each member of the Syracuse University community. Faculty, staff, students, alumni and volunteers are expected to enforce the policy for their facilities and/or sponsored activities. Individuals are encouraged and empowered to inform others tactfully and respectfully about the policy in an ongoing effort to support others to be tobacco free, promote a smoke- and tobacco-free environment, and encourage a culture of compliance. Faculty, staff, and students are expected to assume leadership roles by adhering to the policy and by reminding others who are not in compliance of the policy provisions.Those who smoke or use tobacco products off University property are expected to be courteous to and respectful of our neighbors, and are asked to discard tobacco products, packaging, and other potential litter in appropriate receptacles.
- Violations Faculty, staff, and students violating this policy may be subject to University disciplinary action. Visitors and alumni who violate and refuse to comply with this policy may be asked to leave campus. Sanctions imposed under this policy do not diminish or replace any penalties available under applicable federal, state, and local laws. The New York Public Health Law and the New York State Clean Indoor Air Act prohibit smoking in any indoor area, open to the public, to protect all employees and visitors from secondhand smoke, an established cause of cancer and respiratory disease. The New York Public Health Law provides for a civil penalty of up to $2,000 for any violation of its non-smoking provisions (Appendix D, Section 3).
- Complaints A complaint, concern, or dispute regarding smoking or the use of tobacco products under this policy should be promptly referred for resolution to an immediate supervisor, administrator responsible for the area, or to the Executive Director of the University Wellness Initiative.
- Definitions “Smoking” is defined as inhaling, exhaling, burning, or carrying any lighted or heated cigar, cigarette, pipe, or other device designed to accomplish, enable or imitate the act of smoking, including electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), hookahs, and all vapor/vaping devices.”Tobacco products” is defined as all tobacco-derived or containing products, including but not limited to, cigarettes (including clove, bidi, and kretek), cigars, cigarillos, hookah-smoked products, electronic cigarettes or vapor/vaping devices, and oral tobacco (e.g., spit and spitless, smokeless, chew, dip, snuff, snus) and nasal tobacco. It also includes any product intended to mimic tobacco products, contain tobacco flavoring or deliver nicotine. 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.
Revised Date: August 2016