Campus Smoke and Tobacco Free Environment Policy

For interpretation of this policy, please contact: Student Health Center, at (909) 537-5241.

Definitions

• Smoke Free: "Smoke Free" means the use of cigarettes, pipes, cigars, and other “smoke” emanating products inc,luding e-cigarettes, vapor devices and, other like products are prohibited.
• Tobacco Free: “Tobacco Free” means the use of cigarettes, pipes, cigars, smokeless tobacco, snuffs, and other tobacco products is prohibited.

California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB) is committed to creating a safe, healthy and productive environment for its students, faculty, staff and visitors. The Surgeon General has concluded that there is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has found secondhand tobacco smoke to be a risk to public health and has classified secondhand smoke as a group 'A' carcinogen, the most dangerous class of carcinogens. Furthermore, the California Air Resources Board has categorized secondhand smoke as a toxic air contaminant. Tobacco smoke is hazardous to smokers and non-smokers. Thus, in order to provide faculty, staff, students, guests and the public with a campus environment that supports the principle of one’s individual freedom to learn, teach, work, think and take part in their intellectual endeavors in a fulfilling, rewarding, safe and healthy environment, this policy is effective September 1st, 2017 systemwide. The purpose of this policy is to promote a healthy educational and work environment for all members of the CSUSB community. In order to support individuals who currently use tobacco and seek to quit, this policy will create a supportive environment through a combination of education, outreach and smoking cessation programs. Research shows the likelihood a person will be able to quit smoking is enhanced when the work environment has eliminated or curtailed the ability to smoke. For many smokers, the restrictive environment provides the required impetus to quit.

Tobacco use and smoking are prohibited on all CSUSB property and in all indoor and outdoor spaces owned, leased, licensed, or otherwise controlled by CSUSB. Tobacco use and smoking are prohibited in all vehicles owned by CSUSB as well as privately owned vehicles at any event or activity on campus property including CSUSB parking structures.

The policy applies to all students, faculty, staff, alumni, vendors and visitors on CSU property.

Exceptions

1. Smoking in university sponsored theater and dance productions as well as for traditional ceremonial activities of recognized cultural and /or religious groups may be authorized by the President or designee.
2. The use of nicotine cessation products regulated by the United States Food and Drug Administration for treating nicotine or tobacco dependencies.
3. Institutional Review Board approved research on tobacco or tobacco-related products.

Compliance

Compliance is grounded in an informed and educated campus community. The success of this policy depends on the thoughtfulness, civility and cooperation of all members of the campus community. CSUSB believes that self-enforcement will become the norm and the value of compliance will become as recognized as it has with seat belt laws.

The Student Health Center along with the CSUSB Smoke and Tobacco Free Environment Policy Task Force, are committed to facilitate educational campaigns, outreach, communication and the promotion of tobacco cessation treatment options which will be the primary means to promote compliance.

Any member of the CSUSB community may respectfully ask individuals to comply with this policy. However hostile and or violent interpersonal conduct will not be tolerated and will be enforced under systemwide or campus policies. University Police shall reserve all enforcement authority with regards to any violation of existing state and federal law.

Cessation

For those individuals who are interested in quitting smoking or smokeless tobacco use, free smoking cessation services are provided by certified American Lung Association smoking cessation trainers. Please contact the Student Health Center, (909)-537-5241. Counseling & Psychological Services are also available to students dealing with this transition, (909) 537-3070. Information is also available at www.csusb.edu/smoke-free.