3341-2-46. Clean air and smoking policy

(A) Policy statement and purpose

Bowling Green state university is dedicated to promoting a healthy and comfortable environment for students, faculty, staff and visitors. To meet this commitment, smoking and the use of electronic cigarettes is limited. Research shows tobacco use, in general, constitutes a significant health hazard. The policy is designed to educate the community and reduce exposure to secondhand smoke and to help reduce tobacco use among students, faculty and staff. This policy will be communicated to visitors and members of the BGSU community by appropriate signage located throughout campus. This policy will be reviewed as needed, and should not be construed as constraining academic research by the faculty into matters associated with smoking.

(B) Policy definitions

(1) Smoking: defined as inhaling, exhaling, burning, or carrying any lighted cigar, cigarette, pipe, or other lighted smoking device for burning tobacco or any other plant, per section 3794.01 of the Revised Code.

(2) Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette): defined as any electronic product or vaporizing device that delivers nicotine or any other substance to the person inhaling from the device to simulate smoking and that is likely to be offered to or purchased by consumers as an electronic cigarette (including vaping device), electronic cigar, electronic cigarillo, or electronic pipe, per division (A)(6)(a) section 2927.02 of the Revised Code.

(3) Facilities owned or leased by Bowling Green state university and grounds of any property owned or leased by the university: includes all buildings owned or controlled by Bowling Green state university, shelters, indoor and outdoor athletic facilities, indoor and outdoor theatres, walkways, sidewalks, residence halls, and parking lots (unless otherwise designated).

(C) Policy

(1) Clean air and smoking policy

Smoking is prohibited in all facilities owned or leased by Bowling Green state university and on the grounds of any property owned or leased by the university. Smoking is defined as inhaling, exhaling, burning, or carrying any lighted cigar, cigarette, pipe, or other lighted smoking device for burning tobacco or any other plant, per section 3794.01 of the Revised Code. In addition, smoking includes the use of any electronic product or vaporizing device that delivers nicotine or any other substance to the person inhaling from the device to simulate smoking. This includes all buildings owned or controlled by Bowling Green state university, shelters, indoor and outdoor athletic facilities, indoor and outdoor theatres, walkways, sidewalks, residence halls, and parking lots (unless otherwise designated). Smoking is prohibited on sidewalks that adjoin university property. Smoking is also prohibited in any vehicle or equipment owned, leased or operated by Bowling Green state university. Application of this policy to university owned detached single family residences shall be determined by university facilities at the time any such lease is executed.

This policy should not be construed as constraining academic research by the faculty into matters associated with smoking.

(2) Smoking areas

Bowling Green state university is committed to providing a healthy, comfortable and productive environment and offers several resources for smoking cessation. Recognizing the use of smoking products is a personal choice, Bowling Green state university has designated areas on campus where smoking is permitted. Designated areas will be marked with signs and include cigarette butt receptacles for disposal. Students, faculty, staff and visitors may choose to smoke in personally owned vehicles.

The following map designates where smoking is permitted.

(3) Responsibilities

All persons coming on to the campus and property of BGSU must comply with this policy. Persons observing a violation of this policy should, if feasible, and in a respectful and polite manner, inform the person about this policy by directing their attention to the appropriate signage. Continuing or repeated non-compliance with the policy should not be handled by individuals but should instead be reported to campus authorities including, when appropriate, the BGSU campus police.

(4) Cessation programs

Bowling Green state university actively promotes tobacco cessation and provides assistance to students, faculty, staff, as well as their benefit eligible spouse/domestic partners. Many services are provided at reduced or no cost. Anyone seeking assistance with tobacco cessation is encouraged to visit http://www.bgsu.edu/offices/sa/health/selfcarfe/page8836.html for campus and community resources.

(5) Violations

Students, faculty, and staff violating this policy may be subject to university action. Visitors who violate this policy may be denied access to Bowling Green state university campuses and may be subject to prosecution for trespass. Violations of this policy will be handled in accordance with procedures outlined in the code of student conduct and the BGSU employee common handbook.

(6) Implementation of policy

Members of the clean air and smoking policy development committee and the drug, alcohol, and sexual offenses coalition (DASO) will be creating a new implementation committee, charged with: creating a clean air promotional campaign; student, staff, and faculty programming; and, working with facilities for signage and relocation of cigarette butt receptacles. The new committee will seek representation from human resources, athletics, facilities, and the BG chamber of commerce, and a majority of the implementation work will be done throughout fall 2013, in preparation for the policy implementation in spring 2014.

(7) Related policies

No smoking policy, August 15, 1993; August 15, 1994

(a) Smoking shall be prohibited inside Founders quadrangle and all non-residential buildings, structures and vehicles owned or leased by Bowling Green state university, including those at the Firelands campus, effective August 15, 1993; and smoking shall also be prohibited inside all residence halls, including small group living units, owned or leased by Bowling Green state university, effective August 15, 1994; and as part of the general health promotion programs of the university, smoking cessation services for faculty, staff, and students will continue to be made available.

(b) Smoking cessation services can be found at the following locations:

(i) The wellness connection at the health center has smoking cessation services for students. Call 419-372-9355.

(ii) Employees can contact BGSU's employee assistance program for information on smoking cessation programs. The American lung association operates the tobacco quitline at 1-866-784-8937, and has an on- line program at www.lungusa.org (see quit smoking). You can also call 800-586-4872 for information on smoking cessation programs at various locations in northwest Ohio. Contact the wellness department, Wood county hospital, 950 West Wooster street, Bowling Green, Ohio 43402, 419-354-8900, for availability and cost of smoking cessation classes.

Effective: 4/16/2019
Promulgated Under: 111.15
Statutory Authority: 3345
Rule Amplifies: 3345