Smoking Policy

1. Introduction

The dangers to health from smoking and the high cost to individuals and society are well known. The Government is committed to reducing smoking and has introduced a number of measures to promote this; most importantly the Health Act 2006 requires that substantially enclosed premises and vehicles be smoke-free if they are open to the public or if they are used as a place of work by more than one person.

The University is committed to securing a healthy and safe environment for staff, students and visitors. To this end, the University smoking policy has made the majority of the enclosed campus areas smoke-free since 1997. This new policy and arrangements extend the provision of smoke-free areas in line with the new statutory requirements. The arrangements also include provisions for managing the areas where smoking takes place to ensure that the effect on non-smokers is minimal.

2. Scope

This document sets out the University policy on smoking and the practical measures to implement that policy.

3. History

This is the February 2007 version. This document was approved by the Health and Safety Committee in February 2007 and the Executive Committee in April 2007 and comes into force on 4 June 2007. This document replaces the September 1997 version of the Smoking Policy.

4. Review

This document is due to be reviewed no later than February 2010.

5. Guidelines

The University will ban smoking in those areas it controls as is necessary to ensure:

the protection of staff that may be vulnerable to the effects of tobacco smoke;
the control of fire and explosion risks; and
statutory compliance.

· The University will take such reasonable action as may be required to enforce the smoking ban.

6. Procedures

The following provisions and restrictions will apply:

	Provisions for Smokers
External Areas	Smoking is permitted in open areas, sited well away from buildings. (As a general guide, areas more than 4 metres from any building). Smoking is permitted in designated areas near buildings. The location of designated smoking areas will be indicated by signs.
	Restrictions on Smoking
Non-residential Buildings	Smoking is not permitted in any of the non-residential buildings or on balcony areas.
Residential Buildings	Smoking is not permitted in corridors or shared kitchens. Smoking may be permitted in single occupancy flats, rooms and kitchens subject to the policies of the Department of Accommodation & Hospitality Services.
External Areas	Smoking is not permitted in close proximity to buildings. (As a general guide, within 4 metres). Smoking is not permitted on the Parade, other than in designated areas. Smoking is not permitted in the Underdeck.
Special Events & Special Risks	Subject to local management decisions, the smoking ban may be extended during special events where deemed desirable for the performance of the event. Subject to local management decisions, the smoking ban may be extended where deemed necessary to control fire or explosion risks or to protect the health or welfare of staff who are more vulnerable to the effects of tobacco smoke.
Vehicles	Smoking is not permitted in any vehicle owned, rented or leased by the University. Where a privately owned vehicle is used to transport two or more persons on University business the University requests that drivers and passengers refrain from smoking.

Signs indicating the provisions and restrictions

The Department of Accommodation & Hospitality Services will arrange for suitable signs to be posted and maintained in designated areas provided to accommodate smokers from their facilities.
The Students' Union will arrange for suitable signs to be posted in designated smoking areas provided to accommodate smokers using their facilities.
The Department of Estates will post and maintain suitable signs at the entrance to each non-residential building indicating the smoking restrictions.
The Department of Accommodation & Hospitality Services will post and maintain suitable signs at the entrance to each residential building indicating the smoking restrictions.

Local managers and event organisers will post and maintain suitable signs indicating any further restrictions that are in place (eg for special events, for areas with enhanced risk, to protect vulnerable staff or for University vehicles).

Designated smoking areas

The Safety, Health and Environment Unit will recommend suitable designated smoking areas to Executive Committee for approval.

Enforcement

The University expects smokers to respect the measures. Repeated breaches of the policy by staff, students or residents will be dealt with using the University’s existing disciplinary procedures. Visitors who repeatedly breach the policy will be asked to leave the premises.

References

1. Consultation on the smoke-free elements of the Health Improvement & Protection Bill. Department of Health.

2. Smoking at Work. Barbour Guide

3. The Health Act 2006 (Chapter 28)

4. The Smoke-free (Exemptions and Vehicles) Regulations 2007

5. The Smoke-free (Signs) Regulations 2007

6. The Smoke-free (Penalties and Discounted Amounts) Regulations 2007

7. The Smoke-free (Premises & Enforcement) Regulations 2006

Professor G Breakwell, Vice-Chancellor

April 2007

Human Resources