Do you know the university’s tobacco use policy? The university has a tobacco policy that governs the use of tobacco on university grounds, including e-cigarettes.

The policy aims to sustain and enhance the general health and well-being of faculty, staff, students, and visitors of the university, as well as to reduce secondhand smoke exposure and cigarette butt litter.

A task force of student, faculty and staff representatives from across the university recently reviewed the policy following complaints from students about smoking on campus. Last fall, the task force recommended some changes.

In alignment with the previous policy, the policy continues to not allow smoking in the interiors of all university buildings and all university owned or leased vehicles, and outdoor areas within 25 feet of any entrance, passageway, operable window, or ventilation system of any university building.

The task force did expand the smoke-free areas on campus to include:

• Outdoor courtyards and common areas adjacent to or contained within the perimeter of any university residence hall or apartment.
• The outdoor corridor commonly referred to as the Center Avenue Mall or “academic spine” of the main campus, running north to south from the Engineering Building to the Lake Street Parking Garage.

Smoke-free includes any lighted tobacco product and e-cigarettes or vaping devices.

The new changes will go into effect Jan. 18.

As part of the university’s work to address complaints, ASCSU distributed a survey to students in 2011, and surveyed students, faculty and staff in 2012. Seventy-six percent of students and half of faculty and staff reported weekly exposure to secondhand smoke, and about one-third of the respondents reported having an allergy or medical condition that was triggered by secondhand smoke. Secondhand smoke exposure was noted often on the Lory Student Center and Clark Plazas, near Eddy Hall and Morgan Library, which is now encompassed in the Center Avenue Mall non-smoking area.

For more information about non-smoking areas on campus, the policy, quitting resources, and how to report violations, visit http://tobaccopolicy.colostate.edu/.