Policy

I. Introduction

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. In addition, tobacco use is a serious safety concern. It has been specifically identified as a contributing factor in a number of university facility fires across the nation, many of which have resulted in fatalities or major damage.

II. Policy

This policy applies to all members of the University community as defined in section IV. C., "Definitions," and to all areas located within 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.

III. Effective Dates

Effective August 1, 2014, Stetson University's residential campuses (DeLand and Gulfport) will be designated as smoke and tobacco free.

This policy applies twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days a week.

IV. Definitions

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

V. Exceptions and Limitations

Tobacco use and/or smoking may be permitted for controlled research with prior approval of the provost, dean or department chair, the Institutional Review Board, and 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 and/or smoking on campus may be permitted for educational or religious ceremonial purposes with prior approval of the provost, dean or director responsible for the facility in which the use will occur, and the director of Public Safety.

VI. Shared Responsibility

The success of this policy will depend on the thoughtfulness, consideration, and cooperation of smokers and nonsmokers. All students, faculty, staff, alumni and visitors (including vendors) are all charged with adhering to and enforcing the policy. The Stetson Community and its visitors share in the responsibility of holding themselves and others accountable for compliance.

VII. Authority

The President's Cabinet, with support from the Associate Vice President for Human Resources, is vested with authority over the definitions, scope, delegations, proper administration and enforcement provisions of which the smoke-free and tobacco-free policy are comprised.

VIII. Compliance

Compliance with this policy rests with all members of the Stetson community. Community members are empowered to respectfully remind or inform others about the policy, particularly in instances where a violation is observed.

IX. Enforcement

Students

With regard to students and employees, violations of the policy will be treated in accordance with general campus disciplinary procedures. Accordingly, corrective actions may fall under the student conduct code for the appropriate campus, Human Resources policies and procedures, or other applicable university regulations.

DeLand

Reports of Smoke & Tobacco-Free policy violations at the DeLand campus may be reported via the University's online Smoke and Tobacco Free Incident Reporting Form. Progressive discipline measures may be applied, including educational sanctions.

Gulfport

If you see a violation of the policy at the Gulfport campus, please complete and submit the Gulfport Campus Smoke/Tobacco Free Violation Reporting form.

Employees

Violations of policy that involve employees are first to be reported to the employee's immediate supervisor or department head for investigation and interaction. Reports that are unable to be resolved through intervention at the department level are to be referred to Human Resources. Additionally, concerns about chronic policy violations may be reported as follows:

DeLand

Gulfport

If you see a violation of the policy at the Gulfport campus, please complete and submit the Gulfport Campus Smoke/Tobacco Free Violation Reporting form.

Staff Policy 4.23, Staff Disciplinary Procedures, is applicable to violations of the smoke-free and tobacco-free policy. Therefore, progressive discipline measures may be applied at the discretion of the supervisor and Human Resources. Participation in smoke & tobacco-free educational programs may be required as part of the disciplinary process.

Visitors

Visitors and vendors on campus may not be knowledgeable of the policy. The campus community shares the responsibility to respectfully edify them that Stetson is a smoke-free and tobacco-free campus. Campus Security is to be notified in situations involving visitors, including vendors, observed to be using smoke or tobacco products, and who fail to comply after being advised of the policy. Further refusal to respect the policy may result in a visitor or vendor being required to leave campus.

Campus Security retains authority to directly enforce adherence to this policy at all times with any and all campus constituents. However, it remains the University's expectation for compliance to be assured through the shared responsibility of the Stetson community (reference section V of this policy).

X. Awareness through Education

Stetson University is dedicated to educating its students and employees on the health benefits of being tobacco free. The university recognizes that ongoing awareness efforts are critical to both the success of the Smoke & Tobacco-Free initiative and the ongoing wellness of the campus communities. Through health care and health education programs, the university provides resources and services important to fostering an institutional partnership and shared responsibility with students and employees toward promoting healthy lifestyles.