College Operational Policy

Smoke-Free Campus

1.       Introduction and Purpose

Loyalist College is dedicated to providing a safe, healthy and productive environment for students, employees and the community. As part of its commitment to its Health and Wellness strategy, Loyalist College will encourage responsible choices by providing awareness to the harmful effects of smoking and offering support through cessation programs.

The decision to smoke tobacco or cannabis is a personal one. However, use of any of these substances while at the College has the potential to affect oneself and others in a negative way.

The purpose of this policy is to set out smoking restrictions for all Loyalist College campuses and satellite locations.

2.      Application

This policy applies to all students, employees, contractors, leasehold tenants and the general public, including any group or persons renting or using College facilities.

3.       Definitions

Smoking – Inhaling, exhaling, burning, or carrying any lighted or heated cigar, cigarette, pipe, or any other lighted or heated tobacco or plant product intended for inhalation, including hookahs (water pipe) and cannabis, whether natural or synthetic, in any manner or in any form. Smoking also includes the use of an electronic smoking device which creates an aerosol or vapour, in any manner or in any form, or the use of any oral smoking device.

College Property – Any land boundary owned and controlled, or leased, by Loyalist College, inclusive of buildings on the Belleville and Bancroft campuses and Port Hope satellite location. College property also includes all student Residence buildings.

4.       Indigenous and Sacred Medicines

The traditional burning of sacred medicines that form a part of Indigenous culture and heritage is exempt from the Smoke-Free Campus policy. The College recognizes that tobacco is an integral part of culture ceremonies, cultural research and requests for guidance, knowledge or knowledge sharing; therefore, it may be burned on campus in accordance with the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017, S. 19, Traditional Use of Tobacco by Indigenous Persons.

5.       Policy Statement

5.1 Smoking is prohibited at all times inside any College-owned or -leased facility.

5.2 Effective January 1, 2019, smoking is prohibited on all campuses of the College and on the grounds of any leased facilities that are within the control of the College. In transition, a designated smoking area for tobacco will temporarily be available close to Residence from January 1 – May 31, 2019.

5.3 The use of electronic smoking devices is prohibited wherever smoking is prohibited and is subject to the same restrictions as cannabis and tobacco.

5.4 Smoking tobacco and products is prohibited in any vehicle, whether a personal vehicle or College-owned vehicle, while on College property.

5.5 Guidelines regarding the use of medical cannabis are in the Fit to Work and Fit to Learn policies and procedures.

5.6 This policy will not contravene or supersede any federal, provincial or municipal laws.

6.       Non-Compliance

Loyalist College expects the College community to act in good faith in complying with the Smoke-Free Campus policy. Education and redirection will be the main forms of enforcement for one-time incidents of smoking on campus.

Those who repeatedly choose not to comply with the Smoke-Free Campus policy may be subject to the following:

• Students – action aligning to the Student Code of Conduct will be taken by Student Success
• Employees – action as outlined in administrative guidelines and/or collective agreements will be taken by Human Resources
• Contractors – may be reported to the parent company, or grounds for disciplinary action
• Clients and visitors – may be asked to leave the campus

College Security is responsible for enforcing the non-compliance of this policy.

7.       Education and Support

The College demonstrates its commitment to health and wellness by providing smoking cessation assistance services through its Employee and Family Assistance Program for employees and the Loyalist Student Health Centre for students.

8.       Related Document and Links

• AOP 209 Student Code of Conduct – Positive Learning & Living Environment 
• loyalistcollege.com/smokefree

9.       References

Cannabis Act, 2018

Cannabis Statute Law Amendment Act, 2018

Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017