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UCR Smoke-Free Environment Policy

Effective Date: January 1, 2004

1. Background and Purpose

The Surgeon General of the United States has determined that cigarette smoking is the leading preventable cause of illness and premature death in the United States . Moreover, there is now conclusive evidence that non-smokers who are regularly exposed to passive (second-hand) tobacco smoke are also at increased risk of illness. Passive tobacco smoke appears to be especially hazardous to the health and safety of certain population groups, including the elderly, children, and persons with allergies, asthma, respiratory diseases or cardiovascular disease.

On January 1, 1994, California law banned smoking inside state-owned and state-occupied buildings. (CA Code 19994.30-19994.35).  In September 2003, the Governor of the State of California signed Assembly Bill 846, which as of January 1, 2004, will extend the no-smoking zone to 20 feet away from the perimeter of the buildings, and will add to the prohibited area any place within 20 feet of any operable window.

It is therefore necessary to (i) protect the UCR Campus Community from this substantiated hazard; and (ii) ensure UCR’s compliance with applicable State law and UC Policy.  This section describes the prohibition against smoking inside facilities owned, occupied, or leased by UC Riverside.

2. Policy

State Law and University of California policy restrict smoking on UC Riverside property to protect the health, safety, and comfort of all University students, employees, and visitors.  Where the needs of smokers and non-smokers conflict, the right to a smoke-free environment shall have priority.

1. Non-Smoking areas
Smoking is prohibited in the following areas:
1. Inside all UCR-owned and –occupied buildings, and all UCR-leased and –occupied buildings;
2. Within 20 feet of the perimeter of all UCR-owned and occupied buildings, and all UCR-leased and occupied buildings;
3. All UCR-owned or leased vehicles;
4. Courtyards or other areas where air circulation may be impeded by architectural, landscaping, or other barriers;
5. Outdoor entry or service lines, such as for ATMs, ticket purchases, bus stops, or event admissions;
6. Outdoor eating areas provided by food services, such as the Commons, the Barn;
7. Outdoor areas or events where there is fixed seating, such as sporting events;
8. Outdoor areas that are reserved for events that do not have fixed seating but for which the rights of non-smokers must be protected (e.g., commencement, Freshman convocation, groundbreaking ceremonies, Market Day, Spring Splash);
9. Smoking could be a fire or explosion hazard; and
10. Smoking could damage sensitive equipment.
2. Areas Where Smoking is permitted
1. Any outdoor area of a building, provided that (i) such outdoor area in excess of 20 feet of all entrances and exits, and (ii) air circulation is not impeded by architectural, landscaping, or other barriers;
2. Covered Parking lots; and
3. On-campus housing as outlined in Housing Policies.
3. Advertising of Tobacco Products Prohibited
The advertising of tobacco products is prohibited in any UC-owned and occupied building.
4. Education
1. The UCR smoke-free policy shall be prominently posted in appropriate public areas across campus.
2. Managers and Supervisors shall promulgate the UCR smoke-free policy to all employees within their respective units.
3. The UCR smoke-free policy shall be included in the new employee orientation program.
4. The Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs shall take steps to notify all undergraduate and graduate students of the UCR smoke-free policy, including publication of the policy in student handbooks and UCR catalog.
5. UCR encourages employees not to smoke by offering educational information and providing information about smoking cessation classes held by health care providers, nonprofit organizations, or other groups.
3. Implementation Procedures
The UCR smoke-free environment policy relies on the consideration and cooperation of smokers and non-smokers.

1. Responsibility
Members of the UCR Campus Community, including students, employees, and visitors, shall be responsible for observing the UCR Smoke-Free Environment policy and for asking any individuals who are smoking in an unauthorized area to extinguish and properly dispose of smoking materials, and to direct them to permissible outdoor smoking areas.

Vice Chancellors, Deans, and Department Heads shall be responsible for:
• Ensuring that this policy is communicated to everyone within their respective areas of responsibility;
• Rooms, facilities, or other areas within their jurisdiction are controlled and adequately posted as “no smoking” areas
• Resolve minor disputes regarding this policy arising within their areas of jurisdiction.

The Vice Chancellor for Administration shall:

• Provide policy guidance and assistance to Vice Chancellors, Deans, and Department Heads in responding to all questions arising under this polic
4. Further Information

Questions regarding smoking on any UCR property may be directed to the office of the VCA, (787-3793).  Questions regarding smoking on any private residential space may be directed to the Student Housing Office (787-6350).

5. Policy Reference
1. Office of the President, Implementation of Assembly Bill 846, December 3, 2003 (revising campus non-smoking guidelines)
2. Office of the President, Implementation of AB 291, Smoking in State Buildings, February 12, 1994.
3. Office of the President, University Policy on Smoking, August 1, 1988
4. California State Code, Government Code, Sec. 19994.30-19994.35