A Revised Smoking Policy Bans Smoking in All UA Buildings

Tina Alvarez
Aug. 17, 2000




The policy is about to be adopted by the University of Arizona, said Steve Holland, director of Risk Management and Safety. The policy will go into effect Monday, Aug. 21.

The old policy, based on state law, says state buildings are non-smoking areas but allows smoking areas to be established in buildings if they meet certain criteria.

"We decided to simplify the University policy and eliminate smoking in our buildings, with very few exceptions," Holland said. "The new policy goes beyond the requirements of state law. Most government entities have adopted an approach for their buildings to prohibit smoking across the board."

Smoking is also prohibited within 25 feet of building entrances, exits, fresh air intake grills, and University owned vehicles as well as seating areas of assembly occupancies such as stadiums.

Exceptions include athletic events where smoking is permitted on concourses, buildings with stairwells open to the outdoors, halls designated by residence life and partially leased buildings where the University is a tenant.

Holland said a legal notice was published in the daily newspapers in June, and people were invited to submit comments to the President's Office.

The change in policy was recommended by the UA Health, Wellness and Safety Committee, said Joyce B. Meder, assistant vice-president for health and wellness and director of the Campus Health Service.

Committee members come from Health and Wellness, Risk Management, The UA Police Department, and other areas where staff are working on some aspect of health, wellness and safety. The goal of the committee is to make the campus a healthier, safer environment for learning and working.

Meder said they found faculty, staff and students entering and leaving buildings were running into second hand smoke, which is a problem for people with any kind of respiratory problem such as asthma. She said the committee also understood it is getting more difficult for people to find places to smoke.

"We're trying to keep that in mind, and at the same time make it a healthier environment for everyone," Meder said. "We're increasing the limits a bit on where people can smoke so we've moved it away from those entrances and exits to have safer environments. I think the entrance and exit factors will be the greatest change people will notice."

President Likins gave his final approval of the new policy on Aug. 9. Risk Management and Safety will work with Facilities Management to update building signage to reflect the change.

The adopted version of the new smoking policy may be viewed at http://w3.arizona.edu/~policy/

Share

Resources for the media