1. Overview

   This policy provides Ohio university with a smoke- and tobacco-free campus in compliance with the resolution of the Ohio board of regents in July, 2012, which called for Ohio’s universities to establish their campuses as tobacco-free. This policy is founded on a commitment to the overall health and success of members of the Ohio university campus, which can be enhanced by a smoke- and tobacco-free environment. This policy is also in compliance with Ohio smoking law set forth in Chapter 3794. of the Revised Code, and the Ohio fire code provisions on smoking set forth in section 310. A smoke- and tobacco-free Ohio university campus supports a green and clean environment, prepares our students for tobacco-free environments in their future, and can be a source of pride in supporting a wellness initiative

2. Prohibition, definitions, and scope

   Smoking or the use of tobacco or smoking products is prohibited at all times at Ohio university.

   1. Who

      The prohibition applies to all members of the university community, including employees, students, visitors, volunteers, patients, and customers.

   2. What

      The prohibition applies to all nicotine, tobacco-derived or -containing products, and plant-based products including cigarettes (e.g., clove, bidis, kreteks), electronic cigarettes/vaping, cigars and cigarillos, hookah-smoked products, and oral tobacco (spit and spitless, smokeless, chew, snuff). See also paragraph (B)(4) of this rule.

   3. Where

      The prohibition applies at all facilities, property, and grounds of Ohio university used to carry out the mission of the university, on the Athens campus. Regional campuses will also be smoke- and tobacco-free. The specifics of the policy will be determined and communicated by each regional campus.

      It applies in such places, whether they are owned, rented, or leased by Ohio university. It applies at locations owned by the university that are rented or leased to others for unrelated uses only if university employees work at that location.

      The prohibition also extends to sidewalks adjacent to university buildings and grounds, in keeping with the Athens city policy of property owners' responsibility for sidewalks.

      The prohibition applies in university-owed or -rented vehicles, wherever they are, and in personal vehicles while on Ohio university property.

   4. Exceptions

      FDA approved nicotine replacement therapy is allowed (e.g., patches, gum, inhalers, and lozenges).

      Tobacco use may be permitted for controlled research, educational, clinical, or religious ceremonial purposes, but only with prior approval of the dean or director responsible for the facility.

3. Process and responsibilities

   1. Community-wide accountability

      Each member of the university community is responsible for respectfully informing or reminding others of the smoke- and tobacco-free policy if coming upon someone smoking or using tobacco. No person shall refuse to immediately discontinue smoking or using tobacco products on campus when requested to do so by any Ohio university representative or any employee of Ohio university. Effective approaches for talking with individuals who smoke or use tobacco are provided on the smoke- and tobacco-free website.

   2. Employees

      It is the responsibility of employees to comply with this policy. Supervisors are encouraged to emphasize the wellness aspects of the policy and ask if the employee is interested in any assistance adapting to the policy or interested in cessation resources. A guide for supervisors is provided on the smoke- and tobacco-free website.

   3. Students

      It is the responsibility of Ohio university student to comply with this policy. When talking with students, faculty and staff are encouraged to emphasize the wellness aspects of the policy and ask if the student is interested in any assistance adapting to the policy or interested in cessation resources.

   4. Visitors, volunteers, patients, and customers

      Visitors, volunteers, patients, and customers should be made aware and reminded that Ohio university is a smoke- and tobacco-free campus. An effort should be made to educate these groups prior to their arrival on campus by the sponsoring office via their websites, mailings, advertisements, and electronic information. During events on campus, the sponsoring office shall make efforts to ensure compliance with this policy.

   5. Whistle-blowing

      No person shall discharge, refuse to hire, or in any manner retaliate against an individual for exercising any right, including reporting a violation, or performing any obligation under this policy; see also, policy 03.006.

   6. Intent

      Lack of intent to violate this policy or the Ohio smoking law, Chapter 3794. of the Revised Code, shall not be a defense to a violation.

   7. Support for tobacco users

      Ohio university may assist smokers and tobacco users who choose to quit tobacco use by facilitating access to recommended tobacco cessation programs and materials.

Reviewers

Proposed revisions of this policy should be reviewed by:

1. Chief Human Resource Officer

2. Dean of Students

3. Director of Community Standards and Student Responsibility

4. Faculty Senate

5. Administrative Senate

6. Student Senate

7. Graduate Student Senate

Forms, References, and History

1. Forms

   1. Map delineating the Tobacco Free Zone for the Athens Campus

   2. OU tobacco – Free Supervisor Guide Administrative and Classified

2. References

   The following items are relevant to this policy:

   1. Policy 03.006 Whistle-blowing and Retaliation.

   2. Policy 44.105 Fire Emergencies.

   3. Ohio Revised Code 3794.

   4. The portion of the State Fire Code that applies to smoking in Section 310, found in the General Requirements segment of the Ohio Administrative Code, Chapter 1301:7-7.

   5. The Ohio Department of Health website starts at http://www.odh.ohio.gov/.

   6. The smoke- and tobacco-free website starts http://www.ohio.edu/tobacco-free/.

3. History

   Draft versions of this policy that were circulated for review, their cover memos, their forms, and Reviewers' comments on them are available on the password-protected Review site.

   Prior version of this policy were approved on:

   1. September 17, 2021 (Non-substantive update. Classified Senate removed as Review due to the establishment of the AFSCME 3200 Contract) 
   2. November 16, 2017