Policy 6.8 - Campus Tobacco Policy

Policy 6.8 - Campus Tobacco Policy

BLACK HILLS STATE UNIVERSITY

Policy and Procedures Manual

SUBJECT: Campus Tobacco Policy

NUMBER: 6:8

Office: Facilities Services

Source: SDCL 34-36; SDBOR Policy 4.29

Purpose

This policy and its procedures set forth the University’s protocols related to tobacco and smoking on BHSU property in order to provide a safe and healthy learning and working environment for students, faculty, staff, and visitors in conformity with this policy and other applicable federal and state laws.

Definitions

  1. Smoking: any substance, item, or device, in any form, that emits smoke from tobacco, electronic cigarettes, and any similar substance. BHSU will treat the use of all forms of tobacco smoke emitting products or delivery devices as a violation of this policy.
  2. Tobacco: any substance, item, or device, in any form, containing tobacco. The university will treat the use, of all forms of non-medical nicotine containing products or nicotine delivery devices, which may or may not include actual tobacco, as a violation of this policy, provided the product or device is not part of an individual’s cessation program.
  3. Vapor Product: any electronic cigarette, electronic cigar, electronic cigarillo, electronic pipe, or similar product or device and any vapor cartridge or other container of nicotine in a solution or other form that is intended to be used with or in an electronic cigarette, electronic cigar, electronic cigarillo, electronic pipe, or similar product or device.
  4. University Property: includes, but is not limited to athletic fields, facilities, vehicles, and any other indoor and outdoor areas under the control of the University, whether owned or leased.

Policy

  1. BHSU is Smoke & Tobacco Free as of August 1, 2014. This policy has been put into place in order to protect and promote the health and comfort of our students, employees and visitors.
  2. This policy applies to University students, faculty, staff, visitors and vendors and to all University property, regardless of location.
  3. Smoking and the use of tobacco products and vapor products of any kind is prohibited in any enclosed place, including but not limited to, all offices, classrooms, hallways, community areas, performance venues, and residential spaces within University housing.
  4. Smoking, tobacco, and e-cigarettes use will only be allowed in personal vehicles in parking lots on campus.
  5. Ceremonial use exceptions to this policy must be approved in advance. The smoke and tobacco-free policy may not apply to specific activities used in connection with the practice of cultural or religious activities; all ceremonial use exceptions must be approved in advance by the President or his/her designee.
  6. Marijuana is illegal for all purposes in South Dakota and possession of any amount is a criminal offense. Possession, use, manufacture, or distribution is prohibited on University property.

Procedures

  1. All staff, faculty, students, visitors, vendors, and other individuals on the University Property who are in violation of the policy shall be reminded of the policy and asked to immediately comply.
  2. Enforcement of this policy will depend upon the thoughtfulness, consideration and cooperation of all faculty, staff, and students not only to comply with this policy, but also to encourage others to comply with this policy, in order to promote a clean, safe, and healthy environment in which to work, study, and live.
  3. Students who refuse to comply with this policy should be reported to the Dean of Students, or designee, who will follow up with the student regarding the policy and tobacco use cessation support resources available through the State. Continuing violations will result in appropriate disciplinary action in accordance with the Student Conduct Code.
  4. Employees who refuse to comply with this policy should be reported to their immediate supervisor, who will follow up with the employee regarding the policy. Continuing violations will result in appropriate disciplinary action in accordance with the policy applicable to the employee’s status at the University.
  5. Students or employees who wish to quit will be referred to the services provided by the State of South Dakota including the Employee Assistance Program and the SD Quits Hotline at 1-866-SD-QUITS; information is also available on the web: www.sdquitline.com. 

Responsible Administrator

The Associate VP for Facilities Services, or designee, is responsible for the ad hoc and annual review of this policy and its procedures. The University President is responsible for approval of this policy.

Source and Revision History

Approved by President Laurie Nichols on 10/11/2021.