Table of Contents
On June 1, 2015, the University of New Haven became Tobacco-Free and Smoke-Free. Smoking, the use of smokeless tobacco products, e-cigarettes and unregulated products are not permitted on any property, building or space occupied by the University of New Haven including but not limited to that which is owned, leased or managed on the Main Campus, North Campus, Orange Campus and other campuses.
This policy is based on the results of a 2014 survey of the UNH community and the goal to create a healthier learning and work environment for our students, faculty, staff and campus visitors.
Research shows that tobacco is the number one cause of avoidable death in the United States, and by establishing a Tobacco Free/Smoke Free/Vape Free Campus we will reduce exposure to carcinogens and asthma triggers. This is important for many reasons, including the fact that the Federal Americans with Disabilities Act requires us to maintain an accessible campus which provides accommodation for students and employees with medical conditions, such as asthma, that are triggered by second-hand smoke. This decision also will eliminate the litter caused by improper disposal of cigarette butts and allow facilities staff to focus their efforts on other areas of campus.
On January 1, 2020, this policy was updated to further emphasize that "vaping" of any substance on University controlled property is prohibited. On July 24, 2024, this policy was updated to further clarify that alleged violations by community members should be reported promptly and to specify each office that will take appropriate educational or disciplinary action.
Smoking, vaping, and tobacco product use are prohibited in all facilities and areas of the University of New Haven campuses. This includes but is not limited to all indoor and outdoor areas on the Main, North, and Orange Campuses. This policy applies to any individual on campus property, including but not limited to: students, employees, contractors, subcontractors, volunteers, visitors, and members of the public, and is applicable twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days a week.
- Smoking and or Vaping. Inhaling, exhaling, burning, carrying, or possessing any lighted or vaporized tobacco product, including cigarettes, vapes, cigars, pipe tobacco or any other lit tobacco products.
- Tobacco Products. All forms of tobacco, including but not limited to cigarettes, cigarillos, vaping devices, cigars, shisha, pipes, herbal cigarettes, water pipes (hookahs), electronic cigarettes (vaporizers), electronic hookahs, and all forms of smokeless tobacco including but not limited to:
- Chew: Tobacco placed between the cheek and gum or upper lip teeth
- Orbs: Nicotine-infused orbs consumed like breath mints
- Snuff: Fine-ground tobacco inhaled through the nose
- Snus: Ground tobacco in a tea bag-like sack kept between the cheek and teeth
- Sticks: Nicotine-infused sticks chewed like a toothpick
- Strips: Nicotine-infused strips that dissolve on the tongue
- Tobacco Use. Personal use of any tobacco product, whether intended to be lit or not, which includes smoking and or vaping (as defined above) as well as the use of electronic cigarettes, vaping devices or any other device intended to simulate smoking, the use of smokeless tobacco, including snuff; chewing tobacco; smokeless tobacco; smokeless pouches; and other forms of loose-leaf tobacco, smokeless tobacco; and the use of unlit cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, hookah or other devices using smoke and/or vaporizing products. This also includes use of any product intended to mimic tobacco products, contain tobacco flavoring, or deliver nicotine for any purpose other than cessation.
- University of New Haven Controlled Properties. Any property, building or space occupied by the University of New Haven including but not limited to that which is owned, leased or managed.
- Tobacco Free/Vape Free Areas. All common areas, classrooms, residence halls, elevators, hallways, University-owned and University-leased vehicles, personal vehicles while on University properties, restrooms, dining areas, conference and meeting rooms, all other enclosed areas on campus, garages, parking lots, outdoor grounds, quads, athletic fields, entrance and exit ways, and any other areas of the University campus.
For educational purposes, research involving tobacco or tobacco products may be approved as an exception to this policy. Permission must be granted by the Institutional Review Board and Health Services Office, prior to conducting any research. This is to ensure the health and safety of any participants. Theatrical performances that require smoking to keep the integrity of the production may also be an exception. Permission for such performances must be granted by the Dean of Students Office, University of New Haven Police Department, and the Campus Fire Marshal.
The responsibility for the enforcement and communication of this policy rests with all members of the University community. This policy applies equally to students, employees, and visitors. Those who violate the policy may be subject to disciplinary action through the Office of Human Resources or the Office of the Dean of Students Office.
Supervisors and managers on campus are responsible for leading by example and respectfully communicating the policy to employees, students, volunteers, and visitors.
Employees, students, volunteers, and visitors who observe individuals using tobacco product on University controlled property are encouraged and empowered to respectfully explain that its use is prohibited at University of New Haven and report the individual, if known, to Human Resources or the Office of the Dean of Students.
Installation of signage will be placed at appropriately designated entrances and exits of Main Campus, North Campus, and Orange Campus. Additional signage will be posted on entrances and exits to campus buildings and University owned and or leased vehicles.
All University of New Haven students, employees, contractors, subcontractors, volunteers, visitors, and members of the public are required to adhere to this policy.
Violations by students should be brought to the attention of the Office of the Dean of Students (203.932.7432), which will take appropriate educational or disciplinary action.
Violations by employees should be brought to the attention of the employee's supervisor or the Office of Human Resources (203.932.7297), which will take appropriate action as necessary.
The University of New Haven generally endorses the use of progressive discipline, which is normally a four-step process. University management may elect to skip any of these steps depending on the severity of the violation. The four steps are:
- Counseling with a verbal warning
- Counseling with a written warning
- Time off/Suspension
- Discharge
Violations by visitors/guest of the University should be brought to the attention of the hosting department/organization or University of New Haven Police Department (203.932.7014). The hosting department/organization and University of New Haven Police Department reserve the right to ask the visitor/guest to leave campus immediately.
Violations by vendors should be brought to the attention of the hosting department/organization or the Purchasing Department (203.932.7129).
The University of New Haven is committed to supporting all employees and students who wish to stop using tobacco or nicotine products. Assistance for faculty and staff to overcome tobacco or nicotine addiction is available through the University of New Haven health plan or the resources listed below. Student assistance is available through the Health Services, located on the ground level of Sheffield Hall.
Connecticut Quit Line
1.800.QUIT.NOW (1.800.784.8669)
Text VapeFreeCT to 88709 (Text Line)
www.CommittoQuitCT.com
https://VapeFreeCT.org
EX - a collaboration with the Mayo Clinic Nicotine Dependence Center
EX Program is your free guide to help you on your own journey to quit smoking, vaping, and tobacco.
www.becomeanex.org
Be Tobacco Free
1.877.44U.QUIT (1.877.448.7848)
https://smokefree.gov
Quit Vaping
Text QUIT to 47848
https://teen.smokefree.gov/quit-vaping/how-to-quit-vaping
University of New Haven Employee Health Provider - Meritain Health
Contact Human Resources at officeofhumanresources@newhaven.edu to learn more. Visit www.unhhealthplan.com to access member site.
|