Purpose

Bridgewater State University has a responsibility to its employees and students to provide a safe and healthy environment. There is considerable evidence that concentrations of smoke are harmful to nonsmokers, as well as smokers. Findings of the U.S. Surgeon General indicate that tobacco use in any form, active and passive, is a significant health hazard.

Promoting a smoke and tobacco-free lifestyle is a wellness initiative designed to protect all members of the campus community. Moreover, becoming a smoke and tobacco-free campus encourages respect for others and for the environment.

This policy is intended to eliminate exposure to second-hand smoke, provide an environment supportive of a smoke and tobacco-free lifestyle, eliminate the risk of accidental fire, eliminate the health risks associated with expectoration from smokeless tobacco, and eliminate the environmental impact of litter related to smoking.

Applicability

This policy covers all Bridgewater State University students, faculty, staff, vendors, contractors, visitors, volunteers, and all other affiliated or nonaffiliated persons.

Policy

The smoking or other use of tobacco or other smoking products is prohibited in all buildings, grounds, and vehicles owned or leased by Bridgewater State University, regardless of location.

No tobacco products or smoking or vaping paraphernalia shall be possessed, used, sold, or distributed as samples in any campus buildings, grounds, or vehicles owned or leased by Bridgewater State University, regardless of location, including vending machines.

All Bridgewater State University community members and others must abide by this policy.

Definitions

  1. "Smoking" means inhaling, exhaling, burning, or carrying any lighted or heated cigar, cigarette, pipe, or any other lighted, heated or vaporized product, whether or not that product contains tobacco or nicotine.
  2. "Tobacco Product" means any natural or synthetic substance containing tobacco leaf, including but not limited to, cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, hookah tobacco, snuff, chewing tobacco, dipping tobacco, bidis, blunts or any other preparation of tobacco; any product or formulation of matter containing biologically active amounts of nicotine that is manufactured, sold, offered for sale, or otherwise distributed with the expectation that the product or matter will be introduced into the human body by inhalation or any other means; and also cannabis, hashish and clove cigarettes.
  3. "Smoking Paraphernalia" includes the following:
    1. "Electronic Smoking Device" - any product containing or delivering nicotine or any other substance intended for human consumption that can be used by a person to simulate smoking through inhalation of vapor or aerosol from the product. The term includes any such device, whether manufactured, distributed, marketed, or sold as an e-cigarette, e-cigar, e-pipe, e-hookah, or vape or vaporizer pen, or under any other product name or descriptor.
    2. "Hookah" - a water pipe and any associated products and devices which are used to produce fumes, smoke, and/or vapor from the burning of material including, but not limited to, tobacco, or other plant matter.
  4. "Grounds" includes all university land, roadways, parking lots and other parking structures, athletic and recreational facilities, or any other outdoor area controlled by the university; as well as the interior of any vehicle located anywhere on the property of the university.

Exclusions

This policy does not apply to any cessation product specifically approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in treating nicotine or tobacco dependence.

The use of smoking products may be permitted with prior approval by the university for research, educational, clinical, or religious ceremonial purposes.

Smoking Cessation Resources

Information about smoking programs offered through the university's Employee Assistance Program can also be found on the Human Resources website.

Sanctions

Violations of this policy may be grounds for referral for university disciplinary action.

Policy Questions or Concerns

Employees who have questions or concerns about this policy should be directed to the Office of Human Resources. Students who have questions or concerns are encouraged to contact the Office of Community Standards.

Review and Revised 8/2024 by Peter Wiernicki, Community Standards