The University of South Carolina Aiken is deeply committed to the well-being of our students, faculty, staff and visitors. To provide a safe, healthy environment in which our community can flourish, and in accordance with the university’s commitment to health, well-being and sustainability, the University of South Carolina Aiken will be a completely tobacco-free campus. This policy expands the 2010 tobacco free policy to cover all university property. The intent of this policy is to create an environment that is conducive to quitting tobacco, to promote the prevention of tobacco use and to prevent the risks associated with exposure to second-hand smoke. 

 

 a. The provisions of this policy apply 24 hours a day, seven days a week to all students, faculty, staff, visitors, volunteers, contractors and vendors unless otherwise noted.

 

a. “Tobacco and smoking products” include all tobacco-derived or containing products, including but not limited to cigarettes (i.e. clove, bidis, kreteks), electronic cigarettes, cigars and cigarillos, pipes, water pipes, smokeless tobacco products or substitutions (spit and spitless, chew, pouches, snuff) or any other device intended to simulate smoked tobacco. This does not apply to nicotine replacement therapy, which is designed to assist tobacco users to quit tobacco.

 

b. “University property” shall include all buildings, facilities, grounds, vehicles and spaces leased, owned or controlled by the University of South Carolina Aiken, whether or not signs are posted. This includes, but is not limited to, University –owned buildings, offices, classrooms, laboratories, elevators, stairwells, bridges and walkways, balconies, decks, restrooms, sidewalks, parking areas/lots, meeting rooms, hallways, outdoor passageways and entrances, lobbies, common areas and athletic venues (including those with outdoor fixed seating), university vehicles, golf carts and any transportation owned, operated or leased by USC Aiken.

 

a. The use of any tobacco products is prohibited on university property. No ashtrays, receptacles or smoking shelters will be permitted.

 

b. The use of tobacco products is prohibited in university-owned, -operated or -leased vehicles 

 

a. All Tobacco industry promotions and marketing activities are prohibited on university property.

 

b. The sale of tobacco products and tobacco related merchandise (including logo items) is prohibited on all university property and at university sponsored events, regardless of the operating vendor. 

 

c. The distribution or sampling of tobacco and associated products is prohibited on all university property and at university sponsored events, regardless of the venue. 

 

d. Tobacco industry and related company sponsorship of events is prohibited.

 

e. The university discourages solicitation or acceptance of any grant or gift from a manufacturer, distributor or retailer whose principal business is tobacco products.

 

5. COMMUNICATION OF POLICY 

a. This policy will be communicated to the campus community as follows:

i. News and information will be posted on the Tobacco Free USC Aiken website at http://dotcms.usca.edu/initiatives/tobacco-free-usca/index.dot 

ii. References to this policy will be added to student handbooks, orientation communications and other publications as appropriate. 

iii. Appropriate staff will assist in informing all visitors of the policy and asking that they comply while on any university property. All community members are encouraged to assist with the education of visitors and volunteers regarding our policy.

iv. A provision will be inserted in all contracts, e.g. dining, construction and/or maintenance, to prohibit the employees of contractor/vendors from using tobacco products on USC Aiken property.

v. Communication tips for community members to use in helping to enforce the policy will be available at the Tobacco Free USC Aiken website, http://dotcms.usca.edu/initiatives/tobacco-free-usca/index.dot

vi. “Tobacco Free Property” signs will be posted throughout the university.

vii. Each building will display a “Tobacco Free Property” decal and additional signs as appropriate

 

a. The University will offer resources to assist students, faculty and staff who desire to quit or abstain from the use of tobacco.  Tobacco cessation resources and services will be promoted or offered for USC Aiken students, faculty and staff.  Many of these programs are available at little or no cost.  Please visit the Tobacco Free USC Aiken web page for a list of these resources:  http://dotcms.usca.edu/initiatives/tobacco-free-usca/index.dot

 

a. Enforcement for the policy is the responsibility of each member of the USC Aiken community. Faculty, staff, students and volunteers are encouraged to enforce the policy for their facilities and/or sponsored activities. Each individual should, in a consistent and civil way, bring any infractions of this policy to the attention of the person or persons observed violating the policy. 

b. Faculty, staff and students are also expected to assume leadership roles by adhering to the policy provisions and by reminding others who are not in compliance of the policy provisions. 

c. In the event a member of the USC Aiken community does not respond to a reminder, USC Aiken faculty, staff, students and volunteers will assist in the enforcement of this policy by reporting repeated violations to Campus Police (803-641-3319). 

d. The university will provide Tobacco Free Campus Policy information cards to facilitate the education and enforcement of the policy.

i. Students - Complaints regarding students will be directed to and handled by the Office of Judicial Affairs in accordance with the Non Academic Student Code of Conduct. Further information on the conduct process and potential consequences is available at http://www.usca.edu/judicial-affairs/non-academic-code-of-conduct.dot. 

 

ii. Faculty - Complaints regarding faculty will be directed to the appropriate unit head. 

 

iii. Staff - Complaints regarding staff will be directed to and handled by the immediate supervisor or director, in accordance with Human Resources practices HR 1.39 and outlined in “Disciplinary Procedures” at http://hr.sc.edu/relations/erdscpln.html

 

iv. Volunteers, Visitors and Affiliates - Complaints about volunteers and visitors may be addressed by any university official. Repeated violations may be handled by Campus Police. Complaints about affiliates will be directed to and addressed by their sponsoring departments, in accordance with appropriate policies and practices. 

 

v. Contractors and Vendors - Complaints regarding contractors and vendors will be addressed by the Campus Support Services. Failure by contractors/vendors or their employees to comply with the provisions of this policy could result in the termination of the contract. 

 

a. Tobacco, tobacco products or simulated tobacco products may be used for research purposes. Smoking of tobacco products for research purposes will be allowed only if smoke is controlled in a manner approved by the Office of Environmental Health and Safety, as is necessary for all research that involves laboratory air contaminants

b. A special exception may be made for cultural activities by American Indians that are in accordance with the American Indian Religious Freedom Act, 42 USC sections 1996 and 1996a, which allow for the use of ceremonial tobacco. All ceremonial use exceptions must be approved in advance by the Provost or designee and, in the case of smoking, by the University Fire Marshall

c. Tobacco company participation in recruitment activities (i.e. job fairs, on campus interviews, information sessions, etc.) must be approved by the Career Center or appropriate university official from that area to ensure compliance with university policy to ensure signage, postings and use of company logo is appropriate.