Policies & Procedures

UC IRVINE ADMINISTRATIVE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

Section 1

Physical Environment and Properties

Environmental Health & Safety

Sec. 903-14: Smoke and Tobacco Free Environment Policy and Procedures

Responsible Administrator: Assistant Vice Chancellor - Environmental Health & Safety
Revised: September 2018

References / Resources

Contact: EH&S at (949) 824-6200 or safety@uci.edu

Contents

A. Purpose and Scope

Effective January 2, 2014, the University of California issued the systemwide Policy on Smoke and Tobacco Free Environment which requires all UC campuses to implement local policies and procedures. Based on healthcare and environmental considerations, the UC policy is intended to provide healthier, safe and productive work and learning environments for the UC community.

UC Irvine is committed to the promotion of health and wellness, which includes prevention as well as treatment of diseases. Tobacco-related illness, including those related to tobacco smoke, comprises the largest proportion of preventable diseases. These Policy and Procedures set forth the responsibilities of the members of the UCI community for establishing and maintaining a Smoke and Tobacco-Free environment. They apply to all students, staff, faculty, contractors, volunteers, and visitors.

B. Definitions

Marijuana:
All parts of the plant Cannabis sativa L., whether growing or not; the seeds thereof; the resin extracted from any part of such plant; and every compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of such plant, its seeds or resin. Such term does not include the mature stalks of such plant, fiber produced from such stalks, oil or cake made from the seeds of such plant, any other compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of such mature stalks (except the resin extracted therefrom), fiber, oil, or cake, or the sterilized seed of such plant which is incapable of germination.
Smoke or Smoking:
The act of inhaling, exhaling, burning, or carrying of any lighted or heated plant product intended for inhalation, whether natural or synthetic, including tobacco and marijuana. This includes the use of any electronic smoking device containing nicotine or any other substance that creates an aerosol or a vapor in any manner or in any form or the use of any oral smoking device for the purpose of circumventing the prohibition of smoking.
Smoke/Tobacco-Free:
  • No use of:
    • smokeless tobacco products;
    • nicotine products not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to help individuals who use tobacco to quit; or
    • electronic smoking devices (e.g., electronic cigarettes); and
  • No smoking or vaping of marijuana, and no smoking of other plant-based products.
Tobacco or Tobacco Product*:


* Tobacco Product does not include a product that has been approved by the FDA for sale as a tobacco cessation product marketed and sold solely for such an approved purpose.
  • A product containing, made, or derived from the leaves of the genus Nicotiana or from synthetic nicotine that is intended for human consumption, whether smoked, heated, chewed, absorbed, dissolved, inhaled, snorted, sniffed, or ingested by any other means, including, but not limited to, cigarettes, cigars, little cigars, chewing tobacco, shisha, pipe tobacco, snuff, and all other forms of smokeless and oral tobacco.
  • An electronic device that delivers nicotine or other vaporized liquids to the person inhaling from the device, including, but not limited to, cigars, pipes, hookahs, and electronic smoking devices (e.g., electronic cigarettes).
  • Any component, part, or accessory of a tobacco product, whether or not sold separately.

C. UCI Policy

UCI endeavors to maintain a safe and healthful environment. As a leader in health-related research, teaching, and patient care, UCI has a special institutional obligation to maintain a Smoke/Tobacco-Free environment. Consistent with this obligation, UC policy and State law:

  1. Smoking and use of Tobacco or Tobacco Products and Marijuana are prohibited in:
    1. All UCI controlled properties in which the University has a 100% ownership interest or an exclusive lease interest, including all indoor and outdoor spaces and parking lots; and
    2. Any vehicle:
      1. owned, leased, or occupied by UCI (regardless of where the vehicle is situated); and
      2. parked on UCI controlled property.
  2. Sale and advertising of Tobacco or Tobacco Products and Marijuana are prohibited on all UCI controlled properties.

D. Responsibilities - Compliance and Enforcement

Compliance: All academic appointees, staff, students, alumni, vendors, contractors, volunteers and visitors entering UCI controlled properties must comply with UCI’s Policy.

Enforcement: Vice Chancellors, Deans, Directors, department heads and supervisors are responsible for enforcing this Policy by ensuring that UCI community members under their respective jurisdictions are informed of, and comply with, this Policy.

E. Procedures

Any conflicts resulting from implementation of this Policy should be brought to the attention of the appropriate supervisory personnel (for example, Students to Student Conduct or Staff to Supervisor) and, if necessary, referred to the appropriate Vice Chancellor, Dean, Director, department head or supervisor for a decision.

UCI supports individual efforts to stop Smoking and provides education to support and facilitate compliance with this Policy. UCI Center for Student Wellness and Health Promotion provides stop-smoking kits, printed resources, and other cessation information for all students affected by this Policy. UCI Worklife and Wellness Program provides the same resources for all faculty and staff.

F. Exceptions

Any exceptions to this Policy will be considered by the Campus Smoke & Tobacco Free Task Force. Possible exceptions include:

  1. Research involving Smoking or the use of Marijuana and/or Tobacco or Tobacco Products, may be permitted as required in connection with research approved by the UCI Institutional Review Board.
  2. Smoking and tobacco use may be permitted for the traditional ceremonial activities of recognized cultural or religious groups.