Ohio Administrative Code|Rule 3337-44-113 | Smoke and Tobacco Free Campus.

                                                
The version of this rule that includes live links
		to associated resources is online at
 https://www.ohio.edu/policy/44-113
(A)  Overview
This policy provides Ohio university with a
		  smoke- and tobacco-free campus in compliance with the resolution of the Ohio
		  board of regents in July, 2012, which called for Ohios universities to
		  establish their campuses as tobacco-free. This policy is founded on a
		  commitment to the overall health and success of members of the Ohio university
		  campus, which can be enhanced by a smoke- and tobacco-free environment. This
		  policy is also in compliance with Ohio smoking law set forth in Chapter 3794.
		  of the Revised Code, and the Ohio fire code provisions on smoking set forth in
		  section 310. A smoke- and tobacco-free Ohio university campus supports a green
		  and clean environment, prepares our students for tobacco-free environments in
		  their future, and can be a source of pride in supporting a wellness initiative
		  
(B) Prohibition, definitions, and scope 
Smoking or the use of tobacco or smoking products
		  is prohibited at all times at Ohio university. 
(1) Who 
The prohibition applies to all members of the
			 university community, including employees, students, visitors, volunteers,
			 patients, and customers. 
(2) What 
The prohibition applies to all nicotine,
			 tobacco-derived or -containing products, and plant-based products including
			 cigarettes (e.g., clove, bidis, kreteks), electronic cigarettes/vaping, cigars
			 and cigarillos, hookah-smoked products, and oral tobacco (spit and spitless,
			 smokeless, chew, snuff). See also paragraph (B)(4) of this rule.
(3) Where
The prohibition applies at all facilities,
			 property, and grounds of Ohio university used to carry out the mission of the
			 university, on the Athens campus. Regional campuses will also be smoke- and
			 tobacco-free. The specifics of the policy will be determined and communicated
			 by each regional campus. 
It applies in such places, whether they are
			 owned, rented, or leased by Ohio university. It applies at locations owned by
			 the university that are rented or leased to others for unrelated uses only if
			 university employees work at that location. 
The prohibition also extends to sidewalks
			 adjacent to university buildings and grounds, in keeping with the Athens city
			 policy of property owners' responsibility for sidewalks. 
The prohibition applies in university-owed or
			 -rented vehicles, wherever they are, and in personal vehicles while on Ohio
			 university property. 
(4) Exceptions 
FDA approved nicotine replacement therapy is
			 allowed (e.g., patches, gum, inhalers, and lozenges). 
Tobacco use may be permitted for controlled
			 research, educational, clinical, or religious ceremonial purposes, but only
			 with prior approval of the dean or director responsible for the facility.
			 
(C) Process and responsibilities 
(1) Community-wide accountability 
Each member of the university community is
			 responsible for respectfully informing or reminding others of the smoke- and
			 tobacco-free policy if coming upon someone smoking or using tobacco. No person
			 shall refuse to immediately discontinue smoking or using tobacco products on
			 campus when requested to do so by any Ohio university representative or any
			 employee of Ohio university. Effective approaches for talking with individuals
			 who smoke or use tobacco are provided on the smoke- and tobacco-free website.
			 
(2) Employees 
It is the responsibility of employees to comply
			 with this policy. Supervisors are encouraged to emphasize the wellness aspects
			 of the policy and ask if the employee is interested in any assistance adapting
			 to the policy or interested in cessation resources. A guide for supervisors is
			 provided on the smoke- and tobacco-free website. 
(3) Students 
It is the responsibility of Ohio university
			 student to comply with this policy. When talking with students, faculty and
			 staff are encouraged to emphasize the wellness aspects of the policy and ask if
			 the student is interested in any assistance adapting to the policy or
			 interested in cessation resources. 
(4) Visitors, volunteers, patients, and customers
			 
Visitors, volunteers, patients, and customers
			 should be made aware and reminded that Ohio university is a smoke- and
			 tobacco-free campus. An effort should be made to educate these groups prior to
			 their arrival on campus by the sponsoring office via their websites, mailings,
			 advertisements, and electronic information. During events on campus, the
			 sponsoring office shall make efforts to ensure compliance with this policy.
			 
(5) Whistle-blowing 
No person shall discharge, refuse to hire, or
			 in any manner retaliate against an individual for exercising any right,
			 including reporting a violation, or performing any obligation under this
			 policy; see also, policy 03.006. 
(6) Intent 
Lack of intent to violate this policy or the
			 Ohio smoking law, Chapter 3794. of the Revised Code, shall not be a defense to
			 a violation. 
(7) Support for tobacco users 
Ohio university may assist smokers and tobacco
			 users who choose to quit tobacco use by facilitating access to recommended
			 tobacco cessation programs and materials. 
The version of this rule that includes live links
		to associated resources is online at 
https://www.ohio.edu/policy/44-113