Policy Name: Smoke-, Tobacco- and Vape-Free Policy
Policy ID Number: 05-04-012
Accountable Senior Administrator: Vice President, Student Affairs & Chief Operating Officer
Issued: June 1, 2019
Last Updated: June 1, 2019
POLICY STATEMENT
New Jersey City University is a smoke-free environment. Tobacco and marijuana use–including smoking, vaping, and use of Electronic Smoking Devices (ESDs)–is prohibited both inside of its buildings and facilities and also at all outdoor areas controlled by the University and within the campus footprint.
REASON FOR POLICY
NJCU is committed to providing a healthy, comfortable, productive learning and working environment for its university community. The University recognizes that exposure to secondhand smoke cannot be limited or contained by enclosed spaces because smoke can easily travel outside of established boundaries via open doors, space in doorframes, and heating vents. Secondhand smoke, also known as environmental tobacco smoke, has been identified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a Class A carcinogen. Its many detrimental effects on health are well established and include triggering asthma attacks, causing lung diseases, particularly lung cancer, and various cardiovascular diseases. This policy advocates for a healthy environment by eliminating smoking and exposure to smoking on campus in all forms in alignment with existing local and state ordinances, particularly the NJ Smoke-Free Air Act (NJAC 8:6-7.2).
STAKEHOLDERS AFFECTED BY POLICY
The stakeholders affected by this policy include:
DEFINITIONS
POLICY TEXT
All tobacco and marijuana use including smoking, vaping, and use of Electronic Smoking Devices (ESDs) is prohibited from both the inside of university buildings and facilities to outdoor areas controlled by the University and within the campus footprint. This would include, but is not limited to, state-owned vehicles, parking lots, fields, sports/recreational areas, residence halls, and any other area designated college property.
Restrictions include, but are not limited to, tobacco, clove cigarettes, hookahs, marijuana, e-cigarettes, chewing tobacco, vapor producing products and electronic smoking devices. (See tobacco definition for further details.)
The sale or free distribution of tobacco products, including merchandise, will be prohibited on campus or at school events. Student organizations are prohibited from accepting money or gifts from tobacco or ESD producing companies, including:
Tobacco and ESD advertisements are prohibited in college-run publications and on grounds or facilities, including athletic facilities, owned or used by NJCU.
PROCEDURES
The following activities will be implemented during the university’s efforts to become a 100 percent smoke- and tobacco-free campus:
Continuing efforts and resources to support smoking cessation are available and can be found in the Appendix.
VIOLATIONS
Violator | Referred To | Action |
Faculty, Staff, and Administrators | Supervisor | Employee violations of the policy will be handled in accordance to NJCU personnel policies |
Students | Office of the Dean of Students |
NJCU students, including resident students, who violate the smoke, tobacco, and vape-free policy, will be subject to the policies governing the Student Code of Conduct, through the Office of the Dean of Students Additionally, student violators will be provided information on the consequences of tobacco use and referred to tobacco cessation programs. |
Outside Contractors and Vendors | Procurement | Contractors and vendors who violate the policy will be asked to refrain while on University property or encouraged to leave the premises |
Visitors | Public Safety | Visitors who violate the policy will be asked to refrain while on University property or encourage to leave the premises |
RELATED POLICIES AND DOCUMENTS
American College Health Association website:
FDA related websites:
RESPONSIBILITY
All members of the NJCU community are responsible for observing the provisions of this policy and for reminding others respectfully of their responsibility to comply. Anyone who witnesses policy violations may inform the subject(s) of the smoke-free and tobacco-free policy and/or report the violation to Public Safety.
CONTACT FOR QUESTIONS
Questions or concerns regarding the implementation of this policy should be referred to Human Resources, the Office of the Dean of Students, or Public Safety.
APPENDIX
Due to the many noted health risks related to tobacco use, the university encourages students and staff who use tobacco products to quit. In our ongoing plan to assist in these efforts, NJCU works in tandem with appropriate health organizations that can provide the campus with information and access to support systems. Programs and services that encourage abstinence from using tobacco products and the availability of free, accessible tobacco cessation classes, seminars, and support groups on and off campus are also publicized. Future ex-smokers are also directed to healthcare providers and the employee assistance program as another form of assistance.
Proven resources designed to assist in the cessation of tobacco products appear below:
www.NJquitline.org (1-866-NJ-Stops) |
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1-800-Quit-Now |