POL - 40.01.3 Smoke and Tobacco Free Campus Policy

1.  Introduction

North Carolina Central University (“NCCU” or “University”) recognizes the use of tobacco products is harmful and is committed to providing students, faculty and staff with a healthy work and learning environment. Research findings show that tobacco use in general, including smoking and breathing secondhand smoke, constitutes a significant health hazard. In addition to causing direct health hazards, smoking contributes to institutional costs in other ways, including fire damage, cleaning and maintenance costs, and costs associated with employee absenteeism, health care, and medical insurance. In the interest of addressing these issues, and as permitted by state law, NCCU prohibits smoking inside of its buildings and facilities that constitute University property and within 25 feet of any entrance of a University building as of the Effective Date of this Policy.

2.  Scope

This Policy applies to all members of the NCCU community, including students, employees, volunteers, visitors and guests, contractors and sub-contractors.

3.  Definitions

3.1   Smoking is defined as burning any type of tobacco product including, but not limited to, cigarettes, electronic and/or vaporized cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, pipes and bidis.

3.2   Tobacco products include any product containing, made, or derived from tobacco that is intended for human consumption, whether chewed, smoked, absorbed, dissolved, inhaled, snorted, sniffed, or ingested by any other means, or any component part or accessory of a tobacco product. A tobacco product excludes any product that has been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for sale as a tobacco cessation product, as a tobacco dependence product, or for other medical purposes, and is being marketed and sold solely for such an approved purpose (e.g., nicotine gum, patches or lozenges). The sale or free distribution of tobacco products, including merchandise, is prohibited on campus or at school events.

3.3    University property includes all indoor and outdoor areas and facilities owned, leased or controlled by NCCU, including but not limited to residence halls, academic and auxiliary buildings, athletic complexes and facilities, sidewalks, green spaces, parking lots and roadways, parking facilities, bus depots and all University-owned vehicles.

4.   Procedures and Responsibilities

4.1    Use, sale and/or distribution of tobacco products is prohibited:

4.1.1    in all University residence halls;

4.1.2    in all University buildings;

4.1.3    in all University-owned vehicles; and

4.1.4    within 25 feet of any University building.

4.2     Limited exceptions to this Policy that require written approval (within two weeks prior to the anticipated event) include the following:

4.2.1    A research project involving tobacco products to the extent that smoking is an integral part of the research. The principal investigator must obtain written approval and a waiver from the Director of Sponsored Research and Programs and the Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety office prior to beginning the research.

4.2.2    Tobacco use is part of an educational or clinical objective of a specific course or project. The facilitator(s) must obtain written approval of the dean or director supervising the course or project and the Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety office prior to beginning the course or project. 

4.2.3    A University-authorized theatrical performance that requires smoking as part of the artistic production. The director of the theatrical performance must obtain written approval from the chair of the department or program director that is sponsoring or has authorized the production prior to the performance. 

5.   Enforcement and compliance

5.1    Enforcement of this Policy will depend upon the cooperation of all faculty, staff, students, volunteers, visitors, guests, and contractors, not only to comply with this Policy but also to encourage others to comply with the Policy in order to provide a healthy environment in which to work, study, and live.

5.2    Compliance for Students

5.2.1    If a student fails to comply with the Policy, the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards (“SCCS”) should be contacted. SCCS will follow up with the student regarding this Policy and available resources.

5.2.2    Continuing violations may also result in appropriate corrective action under the applicable disciplinary policy.

5.3       Compliance for Faculty/Staff

5.3.1    Any University employee who violates this Policy should be reminded of the Policy and asked to comply by putting out the lighted tobacco product. If an employee fails to comply with this Policy, the employee’s immediate supervisor should be contacted. The immediate supervisor will follow-up with the employee to remind him/her about this Policy and available resources.

5.3.2    Continuing violations may also result in appropriate corrective action under the applicable disciplinary policy.

5.4     Compliance for visitors, guests, volunteers and contractors

5.4.1   Visitors, guests and volunteers using tobacco products will be asked to refrain from smoking or using tobacco products while inside NCCU property or within 25 feet of NCCU buildings, or leave the premises. A law enforcement officer from the University Police Department may be contacted to escort the person off the premises or cite the person for trespassing if the person fails to comply with this Policy.

5.4.2   Event organizers of public events, such as conferences, meetings, lectures, protests, and social, cultural and sporting events, hosted on University property are expected to provide notice to attendees of the obligation to comply with this Policy. 

6.   Implementation

6.1    A committee shall develop a plan for communicating the requirements of this Policy to students, staff, faculty, and visitors. The committee, through the NCCU Student Health Center, will develop a plan for communicating the requirements of this Policy that may include information in student and employee handbooks, announcements at institutionally-sponsored or related events, and appropriate signage in buildings and around campus.

6.2    The University will provide appropriate signage and other physical indicators notifying the campus community about this Policy.

6.3    Signs will be posted in a manner and location to adequately notify students, employees, visitors, guests, volunteers and contractors about this Policy.  

7.  Resources

7.1     Promotional materials for QuitlineNC and other smoking and tobacco product cessation and services and education for students will be provided by the NCCU Student Health Center and the Department of Human Resources.