Policy 58
Approved Administrative Committee 2127.4TOBACCO USE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA
PURPOSE
1. This Tobacco Use at the University of Ottawa policy (“Policy”) aims to regulate smoking at the University of Ottawa (“University”) in order to:
(a) promote and preserve the health and wellbeing of the entire University population;
(b) reduce and contain University users' and visitors' exposure to the harmful by-products of tobacco use;
(c) comply with provincial legislation governing the sale and use of tobacco products and prohibiting the distribution of these products to youths under 19;
(d) comply with the municipal by-law that governs smoking at work and in public places; and
(e) respect the rights of non-smokers to a smoke-free environment.
INTERPRETATION
2. The following definitions apply in this policy unless context dictates otherwise:
(a) "smoking" means carrying a lighted cigar, cigarette, pipe or any other lighted instrument, and "smoke" has a corresponding meaning;
(b) "school bus" means a public vehicle licensed for the purpose of transporting people to or from any activity, event or function associated therewith;
(c) “patio” means an outdoor patio or terrace of a food service provider where seating is provided and food is served or consumed; and
(d) “sports field” means an outdoor space used for sports activities, including sports fields, stadium seating and domed sports areas.
APPLICATION
3. This Policy applies to all members of the University community, including, but not limited to, academic staff, support staff, students, postdoctoral fellows, trainees and volunteers, as well as visitors to the University.
4. The Policy does not apply, however, to nicotine-replacement products.
POLICY
5. Smoking is prohibited in all University buildings, covered locations and other areas, including tunnels, parking garages, lobbies, stairways, patios and sports fields, as is bringing lit tobacco products, except as stated under articles 10 and 11 below.
Smoking is prohibited within nine metres (30 feet) of a building entrance, ventilation shaft, loading zone or any other designated area.
6. Smoking is prohibited in any vehicle, including, but not limited to, school buses, patrol cars and vans operated by the University.
7. The University Occupational Health and Safety Committee can recommend that other outside areas be designated as non-smoking, if it sees a need to do so.
8. It is illegal to sell or supply tobacco to persons under 19. This covers all treated or untreated tobacco that can be smoked, inhaled, chewed or snuffed.
(a) The sale of tobacco and tobacco products is prohibited at the University of Ottawa.
9. No person is permitted to promote the sale of tobacco products through product association, product enhancement or any type of promotional material.
10. Smoking is not permitted in student residences at any time during the year.
EXCEPTIONS
11. Smoking is permitted in areas not identified in sections 5 to 9; any new smoking ban must be clearly indicated on a sign posted at the restricted site.
12. Certain restrictions on tobacco use do not apply to traditional First Nations cultural and spiritual activities.
Smoking is permitted 9 metres from student residences.
EDUCATION
13. The University will provide a program for the University community dealing with smoking cessation, prevention and education, and the use of tobacco in general.
SIGNAGE
14. The University will ensure that a sufficient number of signs are conspicuously posted at the University so as to clearly identify that smoking is prohibited, as prescribed in the applicable government regulations.
RESPONSIBILITY
15. Everyone at the University of Ottawa is responsible for ensuring compliance with this University policy.
16. Protection Services is responsible for applying this Policy in public areas. The University reserves the right to request assistance from the City of Ottawa By-Law Enforcement to reinforce compliance with non-smoking by-laws.
DISCIPLINARY MEASURES
17. University employees who violate this policy are subject to discipline under Policy 2d or under applicable collective agreements.
18. Non-University employees who violate this policy may be requested to leave the University premises. The University may take whatever measures it deems appropriate to ensure that this Policy is complied with by such persons, including, but not limited to, sending notices to municipal inspectors, under the City of Ottawa's by-laws on smoking in the workplace or in public places, or to inspectors appointed by the Ontario Minister of Health under the Smoke-Free Ontario Act.
19. Ontario law and City of Ottawa by-laws provide for fines in the event of violations. These fines can be imposed on individuals or to legal entities (under article 15 of the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, under article 14 of the public places non-smoking by-law or article 11 of the smoke-free workplace by-law).
REPRISALS PROHIBITED
20. Disciplining, penalizing, constraining, dismissing, intimidating or suspending employees for complying with or for asking others to comply with this policy is prohibited.
EXCEPTIONS
21. No exception may be made to this Policy without the written consent of the Administrative Committee.
Revised September 19, 2012
(Office of Risk Management)