Purpose and Coverage
The purpose of this document is to describe the College's Tobacco Free Policy and to provide guidelines for its implementation. The policy covers all campus facilities, grounds, College-owned or leased vehicles, and personal vehicles, and applies to all persons, including students, faculty, staff, administrators, outside contractors, vendors and the general public. This policy does not apply to the practice of cultural activities by American Indians that are in accordance with the American Indian Religious Freedom Act, 42 USC, sections 1996 and 1996a. See the Smudging for Religious/Spirituality Purposes Policy. All ceremonial use exceptions in common or public spaces must be approved in advance by the Facilities Services Department.
Statement of Policy (updated 7.26.23)
The use of tobacco or cannabis products (including cigarettes, cigars, pipes, smokeless tobacco, e-cigarettes and other tobacco products) by students, faculty, staff, contractors, vendors and visitors is prohibited on all College properties at all times including but not limited to:
- In all interior spaces on College campuses;
- On all outside property or grounds controlled, managed or maintained by the College including all extended site locations;
- In all College-owned, leased, or rented vehicles, including charter buses and vans, and all other College vehicles.
- In personal vehicles on all College property:
- At all events, such as conferences, meetings, public lectures, social events, cultural events and sporting events using College facilities. Organizers of such events are responsible for communicating the policy to attendees and for enforcing this policy.
Definition
Smoking: The burning of any type of lighted pipe, cigar, cigarette, electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) or any other smoking equipment, whether filled with tobacco or any other type of material.
Smokeless Tobacco Products: Smokeless tobacco consists of the use of snuff, chewing tobacco, dissolvable tobacco, smokeless pouches, or other forms of loose leaf tobacco.
Education and Awareness: The implementation of this policy will be augmented by an education and awareness campaign that may include but not be limited to:
- Notification of this policy to prospective students and staff/faculty hires;
- Informational meetings, postings, signs, and e-mail notifications;
- Publication in staff, faculty, and student policy handbooks, and corresponding web sites;
- Educational campaigns and events;
- Referrals to smoking cessation programs;
- Establishing a culture of compliance through peer oversight.
Cessation Programs and Services
To support students and employees of the College who wish to reduce and/or quit using tobacco products, tobacco cessation resources and services are available at Student Health Service.
Enforcement
It is the responsibility of all faculty, staff and students in the College to contribute to an environment that is free of tobacco and smoking (updated 7.26.23). Should violations of this policy occur, the student or employee shall be informed of the CSS Tobacco Use Policy. Should that person continue to violate the policy, the aggrieved party should contact the appropriate office: for College employees, the person's immediate supervisor; for students, to the Office of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs; and for those not associated with the College, Campus Safety and Security. Continued violation may result in disciplinary consequences.