Tobacco Use Policy

I.  Introduction and Scope

Stetson University has a vital interest in maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, alumni and visitors.  Research findings show that use of tobacco products constitutes a significant health hazard.  The health care and health education programs of the University perform an important function by demonstrating and promoting healthy lifestyles through activities such as curtailment of the use of tobacco products.  In addition, tobacco use is a serious safety concern and has been specifically listed as a contributing factor in a number of university facility fires across the nation, many of which have resulted in fatalities or major damage.

Effective August 1, 2014, Stetson University's residential campuses will be designated tobacco/smoke-free.  The policy applies twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days a week.

II.  Definitions

A.  "Smoking" means inhaling, exhaling, burning, or carrying any lighted or heated cigar, cigarette, or pipe or any other lighted or heated tobacco or plant product, including marijuana, intended for inhalation in any manner or form.  "Smoking" also includes the use of an e-cigarette that creates a vapor, in any manner or in any form, or the use of any oral smoking device for the purpose of circumventing the prohibition of smoking in this Policy.

B.  "Tobacco Products" means all forms of tobacco, including but not limited to cigarettes, cigars, pipes, water pipes (hookah), e-cigarettes (any device intended to simulate smoking), and the variety of smokeless tobacco products.

C.  "Members of the University community" include its faculty, staff, students, volunteers, customers, and visitors.

III.  Policy

This policy applies to all members of the University community as mentioned in II. C and to all areas located on the residential campuses of Stetson University in DeLand and Gulfport, Florida.

The policy prohibits the use of all tobacco products on all property that is owned, operated, leased, occupied, or controlled by the University, except as otherwise provided below (see Section IV - Exceptions and Limitations).  "Property" for purposes of this paragraph includes buildings and structures, grounds, parking lots or structures, enclosed bridges and walkways, sidewalks, university carts, and vehicles, as well as personal vehicles in these areas.

IV.  Exceptions and Limitations

Tobacco use may be permitted for controlled research with prior approval of the provost, dean, or department chair, or the Institutional Review Board, and in addition, in the case of smoking, the Director of Public Safety.  Smoke, like any other laboratory air contaminant generated, shall be controlled locally in a chemical hood or other exhaust system that provides 100% exhaust to the outside.

Tobacco use on campus may be permitted for educational or religious ceremonial purposes with prior approval of the dean or director responsible for the facility in which the use will occur, the Provost or appropriate director, and, in the case of smoking, the Director of Public Safety.

V.  Delegation/Responsibility

The success of this policy will depend on the thoughtfulness, consideration, and cooperation of smokers and nonsmokers.  All students, faculty, and staff share in the responsibility for adhering to and enforcing this policy.  Violation of this policy will be treated in accordance with general campus disciplinary procedures.

Responsibility is vested with the President's Cabinet with support from the Associate Vice President for Human Resources and the Dean of Students, or their designees.

VI.  Compliance

Authority for compliance with the policy rests with all members of the Stetson community.  Community members are empowered to respectfully inform others about the policy and the ongoing effort to enhance awareness of and encourage compliance with this policy.  Violation of this regulation may result in corrective action under the Student Code of Community Standards (DeLand campus) or the Student Code of Conduct (Gulfport campus), Human Resources Policies and Procedures, or other applicable University Regulations or Policies.  Visitors refusing to comply may be asked to leave campus.

VII.  Awareness, Education, and Cessation

The policy's implementation is augmented by an awareness and education campaign that includes but is not limited to:

A.  Appropriate notification of all community members using the web and other communication tools.

B.  Notification of this policy during admission and enrollment processes for students and/or during orientation for new hires of faculty or staff.

C.  Communication through informational meetings, postings, signage and digital communication.

D.  Establishment of tobacco cessation programs for all community members.  The university is committed to supporting and assisting all community members who seek help through cessation programs by making nicotine replacement products available at a nominal cost.