October 5, 2007

The University of North Dakota is committed to providing a healthy working and learning environment. The purpose of this policy is to reduce harm from secondhand smoke, provide an environment that encourages persons to be tobacco-free, establish a campus culture of wellness, and promote a tobacco-free future.

UND is invested not only in academic achievement, but also in developing life skills that will promote individual and civic wellness. Higher Education prepares students to cope with the reality of living situations. One emerging reality is that fewer and fewer places permit smoking and tobacco use. In growing numbers, worksites, restaurants, public buildings, shopping malls, healthcare, and transportation facilities are 100% smoke-free.

UND has a responsibility to its students and employees to provide a safe and healthful environment. Research findings show that tobacco use is general, including smoking and breathing secondhand smoke, constitute a significant health hazard. In addition to causing direct health hazards, smoking contributes to college costs in other ways, including potential fire damage, cleaning and maintenance costs, and costs associated with absenteeism, health care, and medical insurance.

Tobacco-free includes the use of any lighted or oral tobacco product.

This policy applies to all faculty, staff, students, contractors, vendors, and visitors.

The use of tobacco is prohibited within the university buildings, parking structures, walkways, arenas, in university or state vehicles, and on university owned property, not otherwise leased to another organization. (Certain University owned properties have been leased to other organizations and, as such, these properties are not covered under this UND policy.) Tenants of such properties are encouraged to establish tobacco free worksite policies for their own employees.

While UND has no jurisdiction over city-owned streets, sidewalks and right-of-ways UND encourages cooperation with the spirit of the policy. More informations on UND property can be found by following this link.

Parking lots and the ramp owned by the University are included in the ban; however, there will be no effort to enforce the ban in private vehicles.

Yes, UND is committed to providing assistance to all students, faculty, and staff who want to quit using tobacco. Cessation information and programs can be found here.

The process of achieving a tobacco-free environment takes time and patience. UND believes that self-enforcement will become part of the norm and the value of compliance will become recognized as it has with seat belt laws. Students, faculty, and staff, and visitors will come to recognize the value of this policy and will choose to comply.

Compliance with this policy is the shared responsibility and the right of all UND staff, students, and faculty members. The success of this policy depends upon the courtesy, respect, and cooperation of users and non-users of tobacco products. Any member of the UND community may respectfully ask individuals to comply with this policy and/or report non-compliance when appropriate. Anyone who observes a possible violation may inform the individual of the tobacco-free policy and offer an information card. The Safety and Environmental Health Office is responsible for determining policy applicability and will answer policy related questions. Repeat violations of the policy will be handled through already-established procedures.

To report a policy violation, please contact the Environmental Health and Safety Office at 701.777.3341 or make an anonymous report to University Police (http://und.edu/finance-operations/university-police/report-a-crime.cfm).

Education regarding the University's tobacco-free policy will be included in formal orientation for all incoming students and employees. Signage will be posted sufficient to inform members of the campus community and its visitors, including contractors and vendors, of the policy. All administrators, deans, directors, department chairs, and supervisors will communicate the policy to everyone within their areas of responsibility.

In support of the spiritual lives of American Indians/Alaskan Natives, the spiritual use of sage, sweet grass, and cedar is allowed when its use is for the purpose of purification and prayer. Information related to this existing policy can be found in the Code of Student Life.

Students may request copies of the following cessation materials by emailing und.hwhub@email.und.edu. Employees may request copies by emailing kimberly.ruliffson@email.und.edu.