Northeastern State University

Tobacco use in university buildings and grounds.
January 3, 2011

University Policy and State Law

1.01 The Oklahoma Smoking in Public Places and Indoor Workplaces Act, 63 O.S. 2003, SS 1247; 1-1523; 1-1523; 1-1525, et. seq., requires Northeastern State University to adopt policies regulating smoking in facilities owned, leased, or under the control of the University. The Act prohibits the possession of lighted tobacco in any indoor place used by or open to public, public transportation, or any indoor workplace, except where specifically allowed by law and allowed educational facilities to adopt more restrictive policies regarding smoking and the use of other tobacco products in the buildings or on the ground of the facilities. These Policy and Procedures are adopted to implement that requirement.

1.02 It is intent of Northeastern State University to promote the health, well-being and safety of all students, faculty, staff and visitors. As such, effective January 1, 2011, Northeastern State University is designated as a tobacco-free environment. Smoking and the use of all tobacco products are prohibited.

1.03 This policy applies to all non-leased buildings and grounds owned or under the control of Northeastern State University on the Tahlequah, Muskogee, and Broken Arrow campuses, including any housing or residential facility owned, operated, or managed by the University.

1.04 Tobacco “use” is prohibited in personal vehicles and all vehicles owned, leased, or under the control of Northeastern State University, the State of Oklahoma and all its agencies and instrumentalities including those that provide public transportation. Possession of tobacco products does not constitute “use”.

Definitions

2.01 Tobacco use includes, but is not limited to, the carrying by a person of a lighted cigar, cigarette, pipe, or other lighted smoking device or the use of smokeless tobacco including snuff, chewing tobacco, smokeless pouches, or any other form of loose-leaf, smokeless tobacco and electronic nicotine delivery devices.

Procedures

3.01 Northeastern State University will not accept donations, gifts, money, or materials intended to promote the use of tobacco nor participate in any type of services that promote the use of tobacco.

3.02 Appropriate signage will be posted by the NSU Physical Plant as necessary to inform employees, students and visitors of policy provisions.

1. “Breathe Easy” signs will be placed on all campus buildings.
2. “Tobacco Free Campus” will be clearly posted at all main campus entrances.

3.03 It is prohibited to sell tobacco products or advertise the sale of tobacco products on University property.

3.04 Littering the campus with the remains of tobacco products or other disposable products is prohibited.

3.05 Organizers and attendees at events (meetings, conferences, lectures, cultural events and sporting events) using NSU facilities are required to abide by the policy. Organizers of such events are responsible for communicating the policy to attendees and for enforcing this policy.

3.06 Courtesy and consideration will be exercised when informing others unaware of and/or in disregard of this policy. No retaliation will occur to any person for doing so.

3.07 Compliance with this policy by all students, faculty and staff is expected based on NSU’s commitment to a healthy culture, free of tobacco, and should be a cooperative effort, encouraged by all students, faculty and staff.

3.07.1 A complaint against an offender, who fails to respond to a request by another, as noted in Section 3.06, may be referred to a dean, director, or other manager. Appropriate disciplinary action will be taken for an offender against whom multiple complaints have been received.

1. Students – NSU students shall be directed to and handled by the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities. Violations occurring within University Housing shall be directed to and handled by the Housing Office. University Housing may refer complaints to the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities.
2. Faculty – NSU faculty shall be directed to and handled by the department chair and/or college dean, as deemed appropriate by Academic Affairs and Human Resources policies.
3. Staff – NSU staff shall be directed to and handled by immediate supervisor or director, as deemed appropriate by Human Resources policies.
4. Visitors – Visitors shall be directed to and handled by the University Police department. The visitor may be asked to leave university premises for failure to comply.
5. Fines – University Police may issue a misdemeanor citation to violators. Upon conviction, the fine range is $10 to $100. (Oklahoma Statute Title 21, Chapter 50, Section 1247)

3.08 Northeastern State University reserves the right to update policies and procedures or any portion thereof at any time without prior notice.

Tobacco Cessation Programs

4.01 Employees wishing to participate in tobacco cessation are referred to the Student Health Center (918) 444-2126, the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline (1.800.QUIT.NOW or 1.800.784.8669), the American Cancer Society, the American Lung Association, and the American Heart Association.

4.02 Students may contact Student Health Center at (918) 444-2126 for cessation assistance. Employees may contact Human Resources at (918) 444-2230 for cessation assistance.

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