Delta State University Tobacco-Free Policy
1) Delta state University is committed to maintaining a healthy and safe environment for its students, faculty, staff, and visitors. According to the Florida Hospital Association and the University of Florida Health Science Center (http://tobaccofree.health.ufl.edu/about/index.php):
a. Tobacco dependence is our nation’s most preventable cause of death and disease. Nationally, tobacco use is responsible for nearly one in five deaths or an estimated 440,000 deaths per year in the United States or approximately 1,200 people each day. This figure is greater than the deaths caused by alcohol, cocaine, crack, heroin, homicide, suicide, car crashes, fires and AIDS combined.
b. Tobacco use is the No. 1 cause of all cancers and emphysema, and it is a leading preventable cause of heart disease and stroke. Tobacco use among pregnant women contributes to low birth weight and premature delivery. Besides lung cancer, tobacco use also causes increased risk for cancer of the mouth, nasal cavities, larynx, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, liver, pancreas, kidney, bladder, uterine, cervix, and myeloid leukemia.
c. Patients who smoke have twice the risk of postoperative infection.
d. Smoking causes more than $167 billion in annual health-related costs, including adult mortality-related productivity costs, adult medical expenditures and medical expenditures for newborns.
2) Effective on September 7, 2010, Delta State University prohibits the use of all tobacco products on its campus. This policy applies to all students, faculty, staff and visitors on Delta State University property or in its facilities.
3) Definitions
a. Smoking: inhaling, exhaling, burning, or carrying any lighted or heated cigar, cigarette, pipe, or any device used to transmit or convey tobacco smoke or related inhalant.
b. Tobacco products: cigarettes, chewing tobacco, pipes, cigars, snuff, or any device designed to transmit or convey tobacco smoke or related inhalant.
4) Use of all tobacco products is prohibited in all owned, operated, leased, occupied, and controlled entitles of Delta State University.
a. When any person enters the grounds of the University, the use of any smoking material or tobacco product shall cease. The offending tobacco product shall be disposed of in an appropriate receptacle.
i. Improper disposal of cigarette or cigar butts, or collateral litter of tobacco-product use, shall also be considered a violation of this policy.
b. University grounds include buildings, grounds, parking areas, and walkways.
c. Prohibited areas also include athletic fields, tennis courts, golf course, and any other recreational or public areas.
5) Notification
a. Appropriate notification of this policy shall be made through pamphlets, posters, and other signage throughout the University facilities, grounds and vehicles. All signage must be clearly and prominently displayed.
b. The Tobacco-Free Policy shall appear on the website with all supporting information.
c. All faculty, staff and student orientation programs, as well as all GST 100 sections, shall include a workshop on this tobacco-free policy using the appropriate University training presentation.
6) Support for Tobacco Users
a. The University shall provide pro-active support and alternatives for tobacco users in the form of cessation programs either on campus or through allied health programs.
b. The Student Health Center shall institute an information program and make available to faculty, students and staff the appropriate means to end smoking.
c. Information on programs supported through state or other insurance programs shall be made available to those who seek such services and shall be posted on the University website.
7) Enforcement Authority
a. All the members of the Delta State University community share responsibility for complying with this policy.
b. Specific enforcement of this policy is primarily the authority of the Delta State University Police who are authorized to cite violators of this policy.
c. Auxiliary enforcement of this policy is delegated to all University Chairs, Building Managers, Directors, Deans, and Supervisors.
i. Auxiliary enforcement includes making individuals aware of this University Policy. It also includes reporting violators to campus police.
ii. Auxiliary enforcement is an affirmative obligation to ensure that this policy is followed in all University academic and administrative units.
d. Violations of this policy should be addressed in a tactful, non-confrontational and compassionate manner. Violations should be reported to any University Chair, Director, Dean, Building Manager, Supervisor, or to the Campus Police.
8) Penalties
a. Students
i. Violators will be penalized according to the Student Code of Conduct.
1. Students should take great care in addressing their peers who do not comply with this policy. Violators should be reminded of this policy in tactful and compassionate manner.
ii. Multiple infractions may result in stiffer corrective actions under the Student Code of Conduct, including fines and/or community service.
iii. Further violations should be reported to campus police.
b. Faculty & Staff
i. Violators of this policy should be advised in a tactful, non-confrontational and compassionate manner.
ii. Continued infraction by faculty and staff may result in corrective action under the Human Resources Policies and Procedures or other University regulations.
c. Visitors
i. Visitors who violate this policy should be advised in a tactful, non-confrontational and compassionate manner.
ii. Further violations should be reported to campus police.
iii. Visitors refusing to comply with this policy may be asked to leave campus.
