Smoke-Free Policy
University Policy
- Rationale/Purpose:
Tobacco use is the leading cause of premature and preventable death, responsible for more than 440,000 deaths a year in the United States. Tobacco addiction begins almost exclusively among youth and young adults making college and university campuses a critical target for tobacco use prevention and cessation efforts. The compelling scientific findings, as summarized by the United States Surgeon General and the Environmental Protection Agency, indicate that the simple separation of buildings into “smoking” and “non-smoking” sections does not eliminate the unequivocal health risks that result from Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS).
Electronic smoking devices, e-cigarettes, have not been fully studied, so consumers currently don’t know the potential risks of e-cigarettes when used as intended, how much nicotine or other potentially harmful chemicals are being inhaled during use, or whether there are any benefits associated with using these products. Additionally, it is not known whether e-cigarettes may lead young people to try other tobacco products, including conventional cigarettes, which are known to cause disease and lead to premature death.
In light of the clear health hazards associated with smoking for smokers and non-smokers alike, the University of Wisconsin- Madison adopted a SMOKE-FREE POLICY effective April 8, 1991. Based on input from the campus community and experience with the original policy, the UW-Madison SMOKE-FREE POLICY was reviewed and amended in 1995, 2011, and 2016.
- Definitions:
- Campus
- Any publicly owned or leased buildings or grounds which compose all or part of UW–Madison.
- Employee
- Any person who has an active appointment on UW–Madison payroll, paid or unpaid.
- Smoking
- The burning of any type of lighted pipe, cigar, cigarette, or any other smoking equipment or the use of electronic smoking devices including, but not limited to, an electronic cigarette, cigar, cigarillo, or pipe.
- Student
- Any person who is registered for study in UW–Madison for the current academic period (Wis. Stat. § 36.05(11)).
- Scope:
This policy covers any individual within a university building, facility, or vehicle.
- Policy:
Policy Summary
Smoking of any material is prohibited in all buildings, facilities, and vehicles owned, operated, or leased by the University of Wisconsin-Madison except as outlined below. Smoking includes the burning of any type of lighted pipe, cigar, cigarette, or any other smoking equipment or the use of electronic smoking device including, but not limited to, an electronic cigarette, cigar, cigarillo, or pipe.
Policy Detail
- Smoking of any material will be prohibited in all building, facilities, and vehicles regardless of location owned, operated, or leased by the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Except as noted below, the SMOKEFREE policy will apply to all indoor air space, including instructional spaces, public gathering spaces, restaurants, the Memorial Union and Union South, athletic facilities including all areas of Camp Randall Stadium and the Kohl Center, individual offices, the stairwells and other enclosed portions of parking ramps.
- Smoking will not be permitted near exits and entrances of buildings, except at a reasonable distance (25 feet or more) or unless otherwise designated.
- Exceptions include:
- within designated units of University Apartments. The public areas of these apartments shall be smoke-free;
- as part of a peer-reviewed scientific study which has been approved by an appropriate institutional review board;
- as part of a traditional Native American spiritual or cultural ceremony;
- as part of theatrical production; or
- within enclosed, privately-owned vehicles while driving or parked in campus parking facilities provided reasonable care is taken to contain smoke and smoking materials within the vehicle.
- Campus units may adopt more stringent smoke-free policies for the lands and facilities under their control. All such unit-specific policies shall be submitted to the Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration for approval prior to implementation.
- The approved unit-specific policies include:
- The University of Wisconsin-Madison Health Sciences facilities and grounds that are adjacent to or within the boundary of the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority premises, including the facilities and grounds of the Waisman Center and the Rennebohm Hall of Pharmacy, will be entirely SMOKE-FREE. A map showing the boundary of the combined UW-Madison Health Sciences and University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics Authority SMOKE FREE premises is included as Attachment A to this Policy.
- At the UW-Arboretum smoking is prohibited within 50 feet of organized Arboretum activities, such as classes, outdoor labs, guided tours, workshops, day campus, staff and/or volunteer groups working on the grounds. Smoking is also prohibited outdoors at the Arboretum where and when it could harm wildlife, damage research projects or increase the risk of wildfire.
- The Department of Family Medicine owned and leased premises, including all facilities and grounds shall be entirely SMOKE-FREE.
- Within the facilities of the Wisconsin Union, smoking is prohibited on all balconies and decks. Smoking is prohibited on the Memorial Union Terrace.
Consequences for Noncompliance
- The experience on most campuses is that smoke-free air laws are usually self-enforcing. The majority of the community wants to do the right thing and follow the law. Employees who violate this policy may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including discharge.
- In addition, students and employees may be personally liable for consequences, including but not limited to damages resulting from smoking.
- Students who violate this policy may be subject to disciplinary action as specified in UWS Chapter 17 and 18.
- Local law enforcement officers have the right to enforce Wisconsin’s smoke-free air law. Forfeitures for individuals violating the law are $100-$250.
Responsibilities
- The Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration will have responsibility for periodic review of the UW-Madison Smoke-Free Policy including to:
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- When requested by campus units and leadership, review specific smoke-free policy violations and develop recommendations for further action.
- Provide oversight of campus-wide strategies to ensure appropriate communication of campus smoke-free policies.
- Appoint committees to make recommendations regarding changes to campus smoke-free policies.
- External References: