General
1. This policy has been developed to protect all persons using University premises - employees, students, visitors, contractors, etc. - from exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke and to assist compliance with the Health Act 2006 and other relevant legislation*.
2. With effect from 1st July 2007, all premises owned or managed by the University are designated as smokefree areas; it is against the law for anyone to smoke in a smokefree area.
3. Smoking can only take place outside smokefree buildings. However, smokers must not congregate close to building entrances, beneath workplace windows, etc., where their smoke could enter the workplace and cause a nuisance to others. To this end, a 5 metre exclusion zone will be in operation around smokefree buildings.
Exceptions
3. The law makes provision for certain exemptions, mainly relating to an individual’s living accommodation, subject to certain conditions being met. There will remain, at least for the time being, a few legally exempted areas relating only to specified study-bedrooms in residential accommodation for students.
Implementation
4. i) The University expects the full cooperation of all staff, students and other persons on the premises in complying with this policy and the law.
ii) Appropriate no-smoking signs will be clearly displayed at the entrances to, and within, all smokefree premises, and in all smokefree vehicles. [Any excepted areas within student residential accommodation will be clearly signed.]
iii) Executive Deans of Schools and Heads of support Departments are responsible for ensuring compliance with the law by everyone on their premises; they will receive appropriate support from the University in carrying out this function.
iv) Members of staff are encouraged to advise anyone seen smoking in a non-smoking area that they are contravening the law.
v) The University, through the University Health and Counselling Services, will provide adequate time and opportunity for smokers, should they so wish, to receive medical advice and/or counselling with a view to giving up smoking.
vi) Where an individual is a persistent offender and has not heeded reasonable requests to refrain from smoking in smokefree University premises, in a smokefree vehicle or inside a 5 metre exclusion zone, the University will persue disciplinary action against that person. Those who do not comply with the smokefree law (this applies both to the smoker and the School/Department/University) may also be liable to a fine and possible criminal prosecution.
Monitoring & Review
5. The effectiveness of the Policy will be monitored on behalf of the University by the Health & Safety Consultative and Review Committee [HSCRC], which will also undertake a full review of the Policy within 18 months of its implementation and at whatever intervals it deems appropriate thereafter.
*There are a number of relevant Regulations made under the Health Act 2006, for example, the Smokefree (Premises and Enforcement) Regulations 2006.
[This Revision Issued July 2007]
Last saved: Last updated at 11:10 am on 05.07.07
