Smoke Free Policy

Scope

1. This policy applies to all people on campus and those who use University vehicles.

Related Documents

2. This policy should be read in conjunction with the following documents:
   • The Smoke-free Environments Act 1990
   • Staff Code of Conduct
   • Student Discipline Regulations
   • Contractor Health and Safety Policy.

Definitions

3. In this policy
   campus means the physical grounds and premises occupied by the University of Waikato, including the halls of residence and any areas leased either by the University or through Campus Services Ltd
   university vehicle means a vehicle owned or leased by the University of Waikato.

Principles

4. This policy meets the requirements of the Smoke-free Environments Act 1990 and is based on the following principles:
   1. all indoor areas of the campus are 100% smoke free,
   2. even outdoors, all members of the University community who do not smoke are entitled, so far as is reasonably practicable, to be protected from second-hand cigarette smoke when on campus,
   3. the University supports all efforts and initiatives to promote a smoke-free lifestyle as the norm, and
   4. all people on campus and/or using University vehicles are expected to respect the University's aim to promote a smoke-free lifestyle as the norm.

Smoking prohibited indoors

5. Smoking is prohibited in all indoor areas of the campus, including university vehicles.

Restrictions on smoking outdoors

6. Provided the principles in section 4 are upheld, smoking is permitted in an outdoor area of the campus only if it is well away from
   • building entrances and windows;
   • air-intake vents;
   • areas that are provided for the consumption of food or drink; and
   • areas where people have congregated for, or are engaged in, sport or recreation.
7. Any person who wishes to smoke on campus must be considerate of non-smokers, and must strive to ensure that their cigarette smoke does not affect them.
8. People on campus are entitled to request courteously that smoking does not take place in their vicinity if they feel affected by the cigarette smoke
9. Anyone who receives a request not to smoke is expected to respond cooperatively and courteously
10. Sections 11-13 below provide a formal complaints process in relation to this policy; before invoking this process, people on campus are encouraged to deal with any concern about smoking in an open and professional manner and to try and resolve it informally.

Complaints

11. A student, staff member or contracted employee of the University may lodge a complaint in relation to this policy, its implementation or an alleged breach.
12. A complaint must be lodged with the Director of Human Resource Management who, depending on whether the complaint involves staff, students or members of the public, will arrange for it to be addressed by an appropriate authority.
13. If the Director of Human Resource Management is unable to investigate the complaint and resolve it by agreement in terms of the Smoke-free Environments Act 1990, it will be referred, in accordance with the Act, to the Public Health Unit, Community Health Waikato Ltd.

Approved by the Vice-Chancellor - 24 August 2009