Smoking Policy

Policy Category: Smoking Compliance
Policy Number: 1.3.2016.U
Policy Name: Smoking Policy (Designated Areas)
Responsible Department: Vice President, Finance and Administration
Approval Date: Aug 2016
Approval Authority: Vice President, Finance and Administration
Last Updated: Aug 2016
Review Date: Aug 2021 or as required

A. Purpose

Nipissing University is committed to providing a healthy working and learning environment for all members of the community. To fulfill its responsibility to provide a safe and healthy environment the University complies with the Smoke-Free Ontario Act and its Regulations and the City of North Bay Smoking By-Law No. 2012-097. Effective Sept 1 2016 the University will be exceeding the requirements of provincial and municipal by-laws with the implementation of Designated Smoking Areas on campus. 

B. Scope

This policy applies to all persons on Nipissing University’s North Bay campus.

C. Definitions

Smoking: Smoking is the inhalation of the smoke from burning tobacco encased in cigarettes, pipes, and cigars or any other tobacco burning apparatus. This policy also applies to the use of e-cigarettes or any other non-medicinal inhalation device.

Designated Smoking Area (DSA): Outdoor area that is assigned to allow individuals to smoke with minimum repercussions to the University Community. DSAs shall be equipped with tobacco waste receptacles and clearly identified by physical delineations (i.e. barriers or marking).

D. POLICY

  1. This policy acknowledges the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, section 13, under which it makes exemption for the use of tobacco by Aboriginal people for traditional cultural purposes. Nipissing University recognizes smudging tobacco, sage, sweet grass and cedar as traditional medicines for ceremonial purposes to promote unity, friendship and support. Aboriginal programming develops respect and knowledge of the sacred medicines which are essential to building an enhanced understanding of Indigenous peoples of Canada.

  2. All interior locations on university-owned and leased property will be smoke-free and inhalation free (i.e. e-cigarettes), including University-owned vehicles, enclosed public places and enclosed workplaces.

  3. Effective Sept 1, 2016, smoking/inhalation will be limited to outdoor designated smoking areas. These designated smoking areas will not be located at entrances, exits, mechanically operated windows or intake vents. They will be located at the following locations:

    Education Centre

    • Across the road from the main front entrance
    • Near the island side walk across from the Shipping and Receiving entrance
    • Gazebos near the pond
    • Across the road from the Owl’s Nest/ Alumni Hall Patio
    • Beyond the rear entrance at Hewgill Hall

    Monastery Hall

    • Beyond the side entrance facing Monastery Road
    • Beyond the side entrance facing bush area near garage

    Residences

    • Founders House: Across the parking lot from the rear entrance and along the sidewalk at the front of the building
    • Chancellors House: Across the parking lot from the rear entrance and in the front by the kitchen patio
    • Governors House: East of the main entrance near the Emergency Phone
    • Townhouse Residence Complex: Inside the centre circle area, one for each of the four quadrants
  4. Smoking cessation programs are available to Nipissing University employees and students; additional information is available from the Campus Health Centre.

  5. Enforcement of the Smoking Policy is the responsibility of Campus Security Services and fines at the North Bay campus will be issued by Security Officers acting as inspectors under North Bay By-Law No. 2012-97.

    Violators must produce identification upon request by a University/College official.

    In the case of a persistent violator, or extenuating circumstances, the enforcement process may also include enforcement in accordance to respective collective agreements, terms and conditions of employment or the policy on unacceptable conduct for students.

Violators must produce identification upon request by a University/College official.

In the case of a persistent violator, or extenuating circumstances, the enforcement process may also include enforcement in accordance to respective collective agreements, terms and conditions of employment or the policy on unacceptable conduct for students.

E. EVALUATION

This policy will be reviewed at a minimum every five years.