I. OBJECTIVE AND PURPOSE
As a leader in higher education, the University of North Florida not only develops minds, but promotes health enhancing behaviors by providing an environment that enables improved health status. Scientific evidence on the health risks associated with smoking, tobacco use and exposure to second-hand smoke is well documented. By implementing the Smoke- and Tobacco-Free Campus Policy, the University of North Florida is seeking to enhance the health of our students, faculty, staff and visitors.
UNF is joining a national movement in creating a smoke- and tobacco-free environment. Following an in-depth review of the harm caused by second-hand smoke exposure and the level to which smoking and tobacco use contributes to chronic disease and death, the UNF campus community made the decision to go smoke-and tobacco-free. Support for this decision is based on current scientific research and data gathered from UNF students, faculty and staff supporting the initiative.
Definitions:
A. “Smoking” means inhaling, exhaling, burning, or carrying any lighted or heated tobacco product, including legal smoking substances that are not tobacco, and smoking instruments.
B. “Tobacco Use” includes smoking, chewing, dipping or any other use of tobacco products.
C. “Tobacco Product” means all forms of tobacco, including but not limited to cigarettes, cigars, shisha, pipes, water pipes (hookah), electronic cigarettes, and all forms of smokeless tobacco including but not limited to chew, snus, snuff, sticks, strips and orbs.
D. “Tobacco related” means the use of tobacco brand or corporate name, trademark, logo, symbol, motto, or selling message that is identifiable with those used for any brand of tobacco products or company which manufactures tobacco products.
E. “Members of the University community” includes faculty, staff, students, volunteers, contractors, and visitors.
F. “Property” includes buildings, athletic and entertainment facilities (both indoors and outside), sidewalks, roadways, parking lots, and grounds. This includes University owned, rented or leased vehicles and also applies to personal vehicles while parked on University property.
G. “University Controlled Properties” refers to University owned properties including those leased to others as well as properties leased in their entirety to the UNF.
II. STATEMENT OF POLICY
Effective August 1, 2014, the University of North Florida is designated Smoke- and Tobacco-Free. The use of all tobacco products, which includes the act of smoking, is prohibited on University controlled properties.
A. This policy applies to all members of the University community.
B. The sale of tobacco products is prohibited.
C. The free distribution of tobacco products is prohibited.
D. Tobacco related advertising or sponsorship is prohibited.
E. The University will continue to provide accessible tobacco addiction treatment assistance for faculty, staff and students and will publicize its availability.
Compliance:
The University’s expectation is that all faculty, staff, students and visitors to campus will adhere to this policy. The University understands that the success of this policy will depend on the thoughtfulness, consideration and cooperation of smokers and nonsmokers. Faculty, staff and students have a collective responsibility to promote the safety and health of the campus community and therefore share in the responsibility of enorcement. Individuals observed using tobacco are to be reminded in a professional and respectful manner of the university policy. UNF reserves the right to initiate disciplinary procedures against any individual found to be in repeated violation of this policy.
Procedures:
UNF shall be entirely smoke-and tobacco-free in August 1, 2014:
All designated smoking areas will be eliminated.
All ash receptacles will be removed
A comprehensive educational campaign will be implemented including a marketing and communication plan which recommends permanent and temporary signage.
Exclusions and Special Situations:
Under limited and specific instances there is potential for an exemption to the policy as approved by the University President.
Website URL: http://www.unf.edu/president/policies_regulations/14-iscellaneous/14_0040P.aspx/
Responsible University Office:
University Office: Department of Health Promotion
Office Website URL: http://www.unf.edu/healthpromotion/
Email: dhplife@unf.edu
Phone: 904-620-1570
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Why are we becoming a smoke- and tobacco-free campus?
A: As a leader in higher education, the University of North Florida has an obligation to not only develop minds, but to promote health enhancing behaviors and to provide an environment that enables improved health status. The scientific evidence on the health risks associated with tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke are well documented. By implementing the Smoke/Tobacco-free Campus Policy, the University of North Florida is seeking to enhance the health of our students, faculty, staff and visitors.
Q. Who do I contact if I have concerns or concerns about this policy?
A. You may contact the Department of Health Promotion. Go to the website:
http://www.unf.edu/healthpromotion/
Q. What is the percentage of faculty and staff who smoke on campus?
A. Our data shows that only 12% of students consider themselves daily smokers and 6.5% of faculty and staff consider themselves daily smokers. The UNF Department of Health Promotion survey conducted fall 2011 reported that 26% of faculty, staff and students smoke. 4% of smokers reported using tobacco weekly > 10% reported using tobacco monthly/annually.
Q: What areas of campus will the smoke- and tobacco-free policy cover?
A: The new policy applies to all university owned and controlled properties including those leased to others as well as properties leased in their entirety to the UNF. “Property” for purposes of this paragraph includes buildings, athletic and entertainment facilities (both indoors and outside), sidewalks, roadways, parking lots, and grounds. This includes University owned, rented or leased vehicles.
Q: Is a Smoke- and Tobacco-Free Policy a violation of civil and Constitutional rights?
A: No. There is no Constitutional right to smoke or use tobacco. Tobacco users are not a category protected under the Equal Protection Clause of the Constitution, nor is tobacco use a protected liberty right under the Due Process clause of the Constitution.
Q: Is there a designated smoking area(s)?
A. No. Providing a place to smoke or use tobacco does not support the University’s goal to create a healthier environment. In addition, we are working to eliminate “triggers”, like smoking areas, that make smoking cessation difficult.
Q: Is there cessation support available for faculty, staff or students?
A: Yes. Faculty, Staff and Students will be provided free Quit Smoking Now (QSN) tobacco cessation support groups by the Department of Health Promotions to help them quit. Visitors, contractors or others have access to The Florida Quit Line and DHP QSN support group meetings.
Q: Why are electronic cigarettes not permitted?
A: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has the legal right to regulate e-cigarettes as a “tobacco product” under the Tobacco Control Act and the UNF’s policy will be consistent with this regulation.
Q: Will there be an impact on enrollment when UNF goes smoke- and tobacco-free?
A: Many campuses have gone smoke or tobacco-free before us and none have reported a decline in enrollment. It is anticipated that the promotion of UNF as a vibrant, healthy campus community will increase interest in enrollment. Approximately 60% of UNF’s transfer population comes from FSCJ. They have already adopted a tobacco free campus policy so the transition impact to UNF should be minimal.
Q: What about international students who currently smoke in higher percentages than other students? What is planned to address what may be cultural differences in behavior?
A: The Department of Health Promotion will work closely with the International Center professional staff to ensure that we communicate to international students the policy and expectations for adhering to the policy. Communication about the policy and cessation support will be promoted through various media to reach more students. In addition, we will meet with and work with international students who smoke and ask them what they need for cessation support or provide information on ways to cope without smoking on campus should they decide to continue using tobacco.
Q: If I choose to continue to smoke or use tobacco and do not have enough time to step off campus to smoke what am I supposed to do?
A: The University is aware that nicotine is a highly addictive drug and simply waiting until lunch-time or after work will be difficult for some. We encourage the use of nicotine replacement product such as the gum or lozenge for times that are inconvenient to smoke.
Q: What about the University neighbors?
A: UNF asks that our students, faculty and staff help maintain a positive relationship with our neighbors that border the UNF campus. We encourage you to respect other’s property by not littering and not congregating in areas to smoke and thus creating a cloud that others must walk through. We will be reaching out to our neighbors and informing them of the upcoming policy and encouraging open communication if a problem arises.
Q: How will this policy be enforced:
A: The University’s expectation is that all faculty, staff, students and visitors to campus will adhere to this policy. The University understands that the success of this policy will depend on the thoughtfulness, consideration, and cooperation of smokers and nonsmokers. Faculty, staff and students have a collective responsibility to promote the safety and health of the campus community and therefore share in the responsibility of enforcement. Individuals observed using tobacco are to be reminded in a professional and respectful manner of the university policy. UNF reserves the right to initiate disciplinary procedures against any individual found to be in repeated violation of this policy. See enforcement/compliance doc.
Q: A smoke- and tobacco-free policy will require that all students, faculty and staff step off campus to smoke. What about the personal safety of these individuals, especially in the early morning or evening when it is dark?
A: UNF encourages that all individuals consider their safety while on or off campus. Medications such as the nicotine patch, gum, lozenge, nasal spray or inhaler are options that can be considered to meet nicotine needs without leaving campus and putting yourself at any risk.
