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Handbook of Operating Procedures
Handbook of Operating Procedures
Chapter 9 - General Provisions
Publication Date: June 7, 2013
Responsible Executive: VP for Business Affairs


9.36 Tobacco Free and Smoke Free Campus

I. POLICY STATEMENT

The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) recognizes its social responsibility to promote the health, well-being, and safety of UTSA students, faculty, staff, and visitors. For this reason, UTSA will become a tobacco- and smoke-free campus effective June 1, 2014, at which time, smoking and the use of tobacco or Tobacco Products will be prohibited in and on all University-Owned and Leased Property.  Prior to June 1, 2014, smoking and use of tobacco and tobacco products will be allowed only in limited designated areas, as detailed below.  

II. RATIONALE

This policy establishes UTSA rules for a tobacco and smoke free campus. It also provides for a one year transition period from smoking and prohibited tobacco use areas to a tobacco and smoke free campus

Additionally, the University considers cancer research to be important and this research supports UTSA’s mission and goal of becoming a premier research institution. Acceptance of funding from the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (“CPRIT”) requires that tobacco free zones be established in the locality of CPRIT projects.  This policy ensures compliance with CPRIT regulations (Texas Administrative Code Title 25 Health Services, Part 11, Chapter 703, Grants for Cancer Prevention and Research, Section 703.20).

III. SCOPE

This policy applies to all UTSA employees, students, contractors, and visitors and is applicable twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days a week.

IV. WEBSITE ADDRESS FOR THIS POLICY

http://www.utsa.edu/hop/chapter9/9-36.html

V. RELATED STATUTES, POLICIES, REQUIREMENTS OR STANDARDS

Texas Administrative Code Title 25 Health Services, Part 11, Chapter 703, Grants for Cancer Prevention and Research, Section 703.20

VI. CONTACTS

If you have any questions about HOP policy 9.36, Tobacco Free and Smoke Free Campus, contact the following offices:

Human Resources
210-458-4648

Office of Institutional Compliance and Risk Services
210 – 458-4992

VII. DEFINITIONS

Tobacco Products – all forms of tobacco products including but not limited to cigarettes (of any kind including herbal/spice cigarettes), cigars, pipes, water pipes (hookah), bidis, kreteks, electronic cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, snuff, and chewing tobacco. (Note: Medications with controlled amounts of nicotine that are used to aid in quitting smoking are not considered tobacco products. A list of these medications can be found at the smokefree.gov website.)

University Owned and Leased Property – real estate, land, buildings, facilities and green space, that the University has a legal title of ownership, a contract to use, a lease to occupy, or a right to exercise control over in order to conduct University business, including all University-owned vehicles. (Rented facilities off campus used for special events will abide by the policies and procedures set by the vendor, i.e. football at the Alamodome.)

VIII. RESPONSIBILITIES

    1. UTSA Employees/Students/Contractors/Vendors/Visitors
      1. Compliance with this policy is the responsibility of the all members of the University community, including contractors, vendors and visitors. 
    2. UTSA Office of Institutional Compliance and Risk Services
      1. Reviews compliants or concerns regarding noncompliance wtih this policy.

    IX. PROCEDURES

    1. Transition Period
      A one year period from June 1, 2013 to May 31, 2014 is designated as the transition period from smoking and prohibited tobacco use areas to a tobacco and smoke free campus.  During the transition period, smoking and use of Tobacco Products will be restricted to sidewalks and walkways in and immediately adjacent to on-campus surface parking lots, except for the Ximenes Ave Lot, Ford Ave Lot, Laurel Village Main Office Lot on the Main Campus, and the Monterey Parking Lot on the Downtown Campus (these include lots that are adjacent to structures in which CPRIT-funded projects are located). Smoking and the use of Tobacco Products are prohibited in parking garages. Smoking and the use of Tobacco Products will be allowed in personal vehicles in unrestricted parking lots.  Receptacles will be located in applicable parking lots for disposal of Tobacco Products prior to entering tobacco and smoke free campus areas.  Student housing areas will continue with existing rules as outlined in the UTSA Office of Housing and Residence Life Handbook.  Maps of tobacco use areas/zones can be found on the Human Resources Tobacco Free and Smoke Free website. Anyone smoking or using Tobacco Products is required to dispose of all waste related to use of Tobacco Products in an appropriate waste receptacle.

    2. Tobacco Free and Smoke Free Campus
      As of June 1, 2014, UTSA will become a tobacco and smoke free campus.  Smoking and the use of Tobacco Products will be prohibited in and on all University-Owned and Leased Property to include buildings, grounds, resident and housing areas, parking lots and structures, green space, sidewalks, walk ways, as well as personal vehicles on the property.  

    3. Resources
      UTSA is committed to supporting students and employees who wish to stop using Tobacco Products.

      For students, resources are available through Student Health Services. For employees, resources are available through the Employee Assistance Program at http://utsa.edu/hr/EmployeeRelations/eapinfo.html. Members of UT Select Health insurance plan can find information about tobacco cessation counseling and pharmacy benefits at http://www.livingwell.utsystem.edu/tobacco.htm.

    4. Shared Responsibility
      It is the shared responsibility of all members of the campus community to respect and abide by this policy.

    5. Exemptions
      Smoking and the use of Tobacco Products may be permitted in the following circumstances:
      1. Approved research involving Tobacco Products. Approval, must be obtained from the vice president for research (VPR) and a waiver must be requested and granted in accordance with sponsored research requirements, if any. 
      2. Artists or actors who participate in University authorized performances that require smoking as part of the artistic production.
      3. Temporary designated smoking and tobacco use areas.  A limited number of temporary designated tobacco use areas will be established during the transition period as described above, all of which will be phased out on June 1, 2014.
      4. Under special circumstances, which may include clinical or educational purposes, where prior approval of the appropriate vice president (provost or VPR) and other required officials, i.e. the Office of Environmental Health, Safety and Risk Management is obtained.

    X. SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR INITIAL IMPLEMENTATION

    None

    XI. FORMS AND TOOLS/ONLINE PROCESSES

    Human Resources Tobacco Free and Smoke Free website: http://utsa.edu/hr/TobaccoFree/index.html

    Tobacco Cessation Assistance Employee Assistance Program
    http://www.utsa.edu/hr/EmployeeRelations/eapinfo.htm

    Members of UT Select Health insurance plan can also find information at http://www.livingwell.utsystem.edu/tobacco.htm

    XII. APPENDIX

    None