Tobacco-Free Policy

Tobacco-Free Policy

• Policy
  
• Procedure
• Guidelines
• Form

September 1, 2015

The New York State Clean Indoor Act of July 24, 2003 amended Public Health Law Article 13-E (Regulation of Smoking in Certain Public Areas) and encourages every employer in the State to provide smoke-free work areas for all employees in the workplace.

On June 12, 2012, The State University of New York Board of Trustees passed a resolution to support a “Tobacco-Free SUNY” policy and the development of New York State legislation that bans the use of tobacco on grounds and facilities and in vehicles owned, leased, or controlled by SUNY. The Chancellor has asked that campuses persist in designing and implementing strategies to drive their campuses toward the tobacco-free goal, with the understanding that to achieve, this, a campus culture change is necessary. Further, no campus can effectively achieve a tobacco-free campus without addressing both social and collective bargaining issues and that time, collaboration and full dialogue are critical to the processes.

Following the recommendations of Chancellor Nancy Zimpher and the resolution of the State University of New York Board of Trustees, Dr. Virginia Horvath assembled a multidisciplinary task force to begin planning for a “Tobacco Free Campus” initiative on January 1, 2014.

The task force is charged with recommending the best means to define local policy and communication about what we mean by a “tobacco free campus”. The task force should also offer suggestions for tobacco cessation programs and other education, wellness and support initiatives available for students, faculty and staff. It is from multiple meetings of the Tobacco Free task force that this policy has been developed. 

Effective implementation of this policy depends on the courtesy, respect, and cooperation of all members of the SUNY Fredonia community.

All members of the University community
● Shall comply with this policy in a courteous, respectful, and cooperative manner.

Supervisors (University and vendors)
● Shall communicate this policy to their employees and volunteers.

Event Organizers
● Shall communicate this policy to event attendees. 

SUNY Fredonia supports an environment where its students, employees, and visitors do not smoke or use other tobacco products, and are not exposed to those who do. Therefore, SUNY Fredonia strongly encourages that students, faculty, staff and visitors refrain from smoking and the use of other tobacco products while on all University-managed property, both indoors and outdoors. This includes any vehicle owned or leased by the University.

Organizers of and attendees at public events, such as conferences, meetings, lectures, social events, cultural events, and/or athletic events using University-managed property will be required to abide by the State University of New York at Fredonia Tobacco-Free Policy. Organizers of such events are responsible for communicating this policy to attendees.