Smoke-Free Campus Policy

Policy number: CS-1101-1986
Policy title: Smoke-Free Campus
Policy owner: Vice President Corporate Services
Effective date: June 1, 1999
Last revised: September 25, 2024

On this page:

  1. Purpose
  2. Application and Scope
  3. Definitions
  4. Principles
  5. Accountability and Compliance
  6. Rules
  7. Policy Revision Date
  8. Attachments
  9. Specific Links

1. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to provide a smoke-free learning and working environment for the College community in accordance with the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017 and other applicable legislation.

This policy:

  • Provides protection from second-hand smoke & vapour;
  • Communicates smoking, smokeless products, and cannabis use restrictions;
  • Outlines tobacco and smoking cessation support to members of the College community;
  • Prevents smoking uptake and promotes smoke-free lifestyles;
  • Reduces fire risk; and
  • Provides a clean and environmentally friendly campus.

 

2. Application and Scope

This policy applies to all individuals, including but not limited to, Mohawk College employees, students, visitors, contractors, independent operators and student government representatives on all College owned, rented or leased property or vehicles, including parking lots and personal vehicles while on College property. This policy also applies to any persons or groups renting or making use of College facilities.

This policy applies to smoking and the use of smokeless products, including vapes and cannabis. This policy does not apply to nicotine-replacement products or treatments or use of medical cannabis. Use of medical cannabis is managed and accommodated according to the Ontario Human Rights Code. Consumption and use of recreational cannabis (hereinafter referred to as “cannabis”) and related cannabis products is prohibited on Mohawk College property.

 

3. Definitions

“College Community” refers to all students, employees, independent contractors, any individual or group carrying out College business and visitors to the College.

“College Property” includes any real property including grounds and buildings, structures and facilities which are owned or leased, or under the aegis of Mohawk College. This includes all College residences.

“College Vehicle” means any vehicle or conveyance operated by the College, including any vehicle owned by the College, rented, leased and/or licensed on a short-term or long-term basis by the College and/or any other consignment/assignment of such vehicle to the College.

“Vaping (Vapes)” means inhaling or exhaling vapour from an electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) or holding an activated e-cigarette, whether or not the vapour contains nicotine.

“Traditional Medicines” include tobacco, sage, sweet-grass and cedar and may include other plants used by Indigenous communities. Such medicines are used for Indigenous traditional ceremony and spiritual use.

“Nicotine-Replacement Products or Treatments” are products that allow for the remedial administration of nicotine to the body by means other than tobacco, usually as part of smoking cessation. Common forms are nicotine patches and gum which prevent cravings in smokers while allowing the individual to abstain from tobacco.

“Smoking” is defined as inhaling, exhaling, burning or holding lighted tobacco or cannabis.

“Smokeless Products” products where substance is not smoked but used in another form such as chewing, snus, snuff, water-pipe or heated tobacco products.

 

4. Principles

The College is committed to the prevention of illness and injury through the provision and maintenance of healthy and safe conditions on its premises and due diligence in its activities. The College is devoted to promoting a healthier learning and working environment and to take steps towards reducing personal discomfort and health risks on College property. Smoke-free campuses will protect non-smokers from exposure to second-hand smoke and support employees and students who wish to quit or reduce smoking by providing access to cessation programs and services.

 

5. Accountability and Compliance

5.1 Accountability Framework

This policy has been approved by the Senior Leadership Team.

5.2 Compliance

The Vice President Corporate Services and the Chief Building & Facilities Officer are responsible for monitoring the effectiveness of this policy and is also responsible for ensuring compliance with municipal, provincial and federal smoking legislation and bylaws.

 

6. Rules

6.1 Prohibited Areas

Smoking and use of smokeless products, including vapes and cannabis, is not permitted anywhere on Mohawk College property, including parking lots and personal vehicles while on College property, residences, College owned vehicles, sports fields and pathways.

6.2 Violation(s)

A violation includes: 

  • Promotion or advertisement of tobacco, smokeless products (including vapes) or related accessories on any College property or event;
  • Smoking or holding lighted tobacco, including vapes;
  • Smoking or holding lighted tobacco, including vapes, inside of College owned or leased vehicles;
  • Use of smokeless products (including vapes) on College property including within vehicles; and/or
  • Failing to use external waste receptacles (ashtrays) which are located at the perimeters of the College campuses.

6.3 Signage

The College will ensure that signage is posted around the College clearly identifying that smoking is prohibited.

6.4 Education

  • Members of the college community have responsibility to educate others on the importance of the smoke free policy. 
  • Campus tours, orientation, use of space contracts, and resource packages for employees and students will include information regarding this policy.
  • Resources are available for the College community that will support tobacco cessation awareness.

6.5 Enforcement

  • Security and Emergency Management will encourage compliance with this policy and forward any infractions to appropriate decision makers for next steps (see section 6.6). 
  • All members of the College community should take responsibility for a safe and healthy campus environment. Thus, College employees and students are responsible for aiding in the compliance of this policy where appropriate.

6.6 Sanctions

  • Employees and students violating this policy will be managed through the Student Behaviour Policy and/or the Employee Code of Conduct Policy.
  • Visitors and contractors violating this policy may have future access to the campus restricted.
  • Persons violating the policy that result in mischief or disruption to the College environment up to and including a fire department response to alarms will be responsible for any endured cost to the College.

6.7 Smoking Cessation

  • The College is committed to delivering programs and education aimed at providing protection from second-hand tobacco smoke and that support healthy living
  • All members of the College community can access the Health and Wellness Centre for supports and resources for smoking cessation. 
  • All employees of the College have access to an Employee Assistance Program which provides smoking cessation support.
  • Students can also access resources from ‘Smokers Helpline’, a free confidential service that provides information and support about quitting smoking/vaping and commercial tobacco use. Services include brief cessation intervention, multi-session counselling, referrals to other support services, cessation support via text and nicotine replacement therapy trial packs. 

6.8 Sale and Promotion of Tobacco Products

  • The sale of tobacco or smokeless products (including vapes and cannabis) is prohibited on College property.
  • The College prohibits the promotion and/or advertising of any tobacco or smokeless products (including vapes and cannabis) or related paraphernalia.
  • In accordance with the federal Tobacco Act and Cannabis Act, corporate tobacco and cannabis sponsorship of Mohawk events or groups is prohibited. All organizations and their employees that operate their business on College owned or controlled properties are prohibited from entering into contractual agreements with tobacco and cannabis companies. 

6.7 Indigenous Traditional Use Exemption

  • The College recognizes and supports that traditional Indigenous events and ceremonies may involve smudging of traditional and sacred medicines as provided under the Smoke-Free Ontario Act. The College will permit the on-campus use of the Traditional Medicines in connection with Indigenous holistic practices at cultural and educational events, meetings and other events as appropriate.
  • Smudging or using traditional medicines on campus is permitted and must be in alignment with the Indigenous Content and College Event Policy which includes procedures for smudging on campus. Please review the policy and procedures. Any questions can be brought to the Indigenous Student Services. Indigenous learners who would like to participate in smudging can visit Indigenous Student Services (A114) who can also provide guidance on smudging outside of their centre. 
  • The use of tobacco or tobacco products, or products from Indigenous cultures for other significant cultural, ethnic or spiritual purposes will also be permitted

 

7. Policy Revision Date

7.1 Revision Date

September 2029

7.2 Responsibility

The Vice President Corporate Services and the Chief Building & Facilities Officer are responsible for reviewing this policy every five years or earlier where required in order to reflect legislative or College strategic direction changes.

 

8. Attachments

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9. Specific Links