Wellness Center

Supports the academic mission of the college by providing all students with quality physical and mental health care.

Wellness Center / DRAFT Tobacco Policy

DRAFT Tobacco Policy

(DRAFT)

 

St. Mary’s College of Maryland

Tobacco Policy and Tobacco-Free Campus Committee 

 

 

  • Introduction

 

      1. St. Mary’s College of Maryland has a vital interest in maintaining a healthy and safe environment for our students, employees, and visitors.  The use of tobacco products constitutes a significant health hazard for those that use the products and those around people using the products.  The College strives to demonstrate and promote healthy lifestyles through activities that support tobacco cessation and tobacco free living including a 100% tobacco free campus.  The intent of this policy is to reduce the health risks related to tobacco, smoking, second-hand smoke, and third-hand smoke; reduce environmental impact of discarded cigarette butts, eliminate risk of smoking-caused fires, and promote a positive image and lifestyle for students, employees, and visitors.

 

  • Background

 

      1. The use of tobacco products and exposure to second-hand smoke combined represents the number one cause of preventable deaths and disability in the United States.  Smoking harms nearly every organ of the body and contributes to heart disease, stroke, cancer, lung diseases and diabetes, all of which are leading causes of death in St. Mary’s County .

 

  • Definitions

 

      1. “Smoking” means inhaling, exhaling, burning, or carrying any lighted or heated cigar, cigarette, pipe, hookah, or any other lighted or heated tobacco or plant product intended for inhalation, including marijuana, whether natural or synthetic, in any manner or in any form.  “Smoking” also includes the use of an electronic smoking device which creates an aerosol or vapor, in any manner or in any form, “Smoking” does not include any cessation product specifically approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in treating nicotine or tobacco dependence.
      2. “Tobacco Products” means all forms of tobacco, including but not limited to cigarettes, cigars, pipes, water pipes (hookah), beedi/bidis, electronic cigarettes, JUUL, vape, and smokeless tobacco products (e.g., chew, snuff, dip, twist, etc..).  “Tobacco Products” does not include any cessation product specifically approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in treating nicotine or tobacco dependence.
      3. “Electronic Smoking Device” means any product containing or delivering nicotine or any other substance intended for human consumption that can be used by a person in any manner for the purpose of inhaling 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 pen, or under any other product name or descriptor.
      4. “Members of the College community” includes its faculty, staff, students, contractors, volunteers, customers, and visitors.

 

  • Entities Affected

 

      1. This regulation applies to all members of the St. Mary’s College of Maryland (the “College”) community.

 

  • Policy

 

      1. Smoking and the use of all tobacco products are prohibited on all property owned, operated, leased, occupied, or controlled by the College, including with-in personal vehicles while on campus property.

 

  • Exceptions and Limitations

 

      1. Smoking/tobacco use may be permitted for research purposes, in a controlled laboratory setting with prior approval of the Vice President of Student Affairs in conjunction with the Provost or other Vice Presidents as appropriate. Smoke, like any other laboratory air contaminant generated, shall be controlled locally in a chemical hood or other exhaust system that provides 100% exhaust to the outside.
      2. Smoking/tobacco use may be permitted for all fundamental traditional and ceremonial use of tobacco with prior approval of the Vice President of Student Affairs in conjunction with the Provost or other Vice Presidents as appropriate.
      3. Smoking/tobacco use in facilities that are not owned, operated, leased, occupied, or controlled by the College are subject to the tobacco policies applicable to those particular facilities, and are not governed by this regulation.

 

  • Delegation

 

      1. Authority for enforcement of this policy is vested with the Vice President of Student Affairs in conjunction with the Provost or other Vice Presidents as appropriate.
      2. Violation of this regulation may result in corrective action under the Code of Student Conduct, Human Resources Policies and Procedures, or other applicable College Regulation or Policies.  Visitors refusing to comply may be asked to leave campus

 

  • Enforcement

 

      1. Responsibility-Adherence to this policy is the responsibility of all members of the College campus. It is expected that students, faculty, staff, affiliates, contractors, and visitors to campus will comply with this policy. Members of the College Community are encouraged to respectfully inform others about the policy in an ongoing effort to enhance awareness and improve compliance with this policy.
      2. Respect and Accountability-Respect and accountability by the College Community to this policy will be primarily achieved through education, awareness, and providing support to those who desire to stop using prohibited products. If someone is seen using these products on College property, an individual may inform the user of this policy and request that they comply. Violators of this policy will be offered cessation resources. Repeated violations of the policy may be subject to the appropriate disciplinary procedures as outlined in the employee and student handbooks.

 

  • Tobacco-Free Campus Committee

 

    1. Membership
      1. The Committee is appointed by the Vice President of Student Affairs.
      2. The Committee is composed of faculty, staff, and student members who have demonstrated an interest or professional expertise in the areas of campus safety and health, public relations, marketing, and smoking and tobacco use and cessation.
      3. The Vice President of Student Affairs or their designee shall designate the chair or co-chairs.
      4. Committee members have staggered three-year (3-year) appointments and may be reappointed.
    2. Responsibilities
      1. The Tobacco-Free Campus Committee advises the President and Executive Council regarding tobacco-free campus issues, including but not limited to guiding the implementation of the College’s tobacco-free campus policies, evaluating the college’s tobacco policies, promoting compliance, and assisting with related campus events.

 

References and Related Materials

Governor’s Executive order (01.01.1992.20)

Smoking Policy SMCM (https://dev.smcm.edu/tothepoint/smoking/)

Tobacco Free Environment Policy (proposed policy drafted by the partners of the

Tobacco Free Living action team of the Healthy St. Mary’s Partnership for consideration by the Commissioners of St. Mary’s County, Maryland)

Tobacco/Smoking Policy Allegany College of Maryland (implemented 8/19/13)

Tobacco Policy and Tobacco-Free Campus Committee. University of Kentucky.

Administrative Regulation 6:5.

 

Please contact Stephenie Gutridge-Snode at smcmfreetobreathe@smcm.edu for more information.