Policies and Procedures

Policy #: 48 Page: 1 of 2 Contact Dept.: Legal Affairs Phone: 3835

Policy #48 Smoking Policy

Policy – Effective January 1, 2009

The University of North Carolina Asheville is committed to providing employees and students with a safe and healthful environment. Evidence shows that tobacco use in general, including smoking and breathing secondhand smoke, constitutes a significant health hazard.

I. POLICY STATEMENT

The University of North Carolina Asheville (the “University”) is dedicated to maintaining a healthy working and learning environment. Smoking is currently prohibited inside University buildings, facilities, and residence halls. Following the adoption of this policy, smoking will also be prohibited in all outdoor areas within the University Heights loop around campus, except for in areas designated by the attached campus map (http://www.unca.edu/campusmap/smoke_free_map.pdf). Smoking will also be prohibited within 100 feet of University buildings, outdoor athletic facilities, and outdoor recreation facilities. The only exception to this 100-foot rule is outside University Residence Halls, where outdoor designated smoking areas may be closer to buildings for the purpose of resident safety.

For the purpose of this policy, smoking is defined as burning any type of tobacco product including, but not limited to, cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, pipes, and bidis.

II. SIGNAGE

The University will post signs about the policy appropriately throughout campus.

This policy will also be published on the University website.

III. APPLICABILITY

This policy applies to all University visitors, volunteers, students, faculty, EPA non-faculty, all staff members, and student employees. It is the responsibility of every member of the University community to comply with this policy. Organizers and attendees at public events, such as conferences, meetings, public lectures, social events and cultural events will be required to abide by this Policy.

IV. ENFORCEMENT

Effective implementation of this Smoking Policy depends upon the courtesy, respect, commitment, and cooperation of all members of the UNC Asheville community to comply with this policy. In the event that violations of this policy do occur, violations should be brought to the attention of the person who is most directly responsible for the violation. If that does not resolve the situation, it should be brought to the attention of the person/office responsible for the workplace, event, or residence, or to that responsible party’s supervisor. Complaints against students will be addressed through the Student Code of Community Standards process, and will be resolved according to the procedures therein. Any person, including a guest of the University, who is uncooperative when being asked to cease smoking in a prohibited area, may be issued a state citation by University Police, if initial measures are ineffective.

V. IMPLEMENTATION

This policy will become effective January 1, 2009. The initial implementation will be considered a pilot and will be reviewed in the fall semester of 2009. It is the intent of this pilot policy to be the next step in a progressive transition to a smoke-free campus.

VI. CESSATION SUPPORT

Smoking cessation support and referrals, particularly nicotine replacement therapy, will be offered to students through the Health and Counseling Center and to employees through the Human Resources Office.

Effective: January 1, 2009

Next Review: October, 2009