Tobacco & Vape-Free Policy

I. POLICY STATEMENT:
a. The personal use of tobacco and/or vaping products is not permitted on the campus of Framingham State University.

II. INDIVIDUALS AFFECTED BY THIS POLICY:
a. All individuals on all campuses and properties of Framingham State University.

III. BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE:
a. Framingham State University seeks to provide a healthy, comfortable, and productive environment for its students, employees and visitors. Consistent with Massachusetts General Law Chapter 270 § 22, in 2007, the University initially adopted a smoking policy that has been amended through the years to reflect current known health risks from tobacco and other substances. Framingham State University continues to recognize the medical evidence that indicates the use of tobacco and/or vaping products is a serious health hazard, which extends to non-smokers/vapers subjected to second-hand smoke/vapors. Framingham State University further recognizes that environmental tobacco smoke has been classified as a Class-A carcinogen and secondhand fumes created by vaping contains cancer-causing substances, heavy metals and other particles that can harm the lungs.

IV. DEFINITIONS:
a. Tobacco and Vaping Products – to include the personal use of any lighted or unlighted cigarette, e-cigarettes, vape pens, cigars, cigarillos, pipes, hookah products, and any other smoking or vaping product. Additionally, all spit or spit- less tobaccos, dissolvable tobacco, dip, chew, snuff or snus, in any form is also considered a tobacco product for the purpose of this policy.

b. Personal Use – includes, but is not limited to, smoking, vaping, chewing or ingesting tobacco and/or vaping products. Personal use is also defined as possession of any lit tobacco or activated vaping product. Personal use does not preclude simple possession of unlit tobacco products, tobacco products as a prop in performance art or a material in artistic work, or in health awareness related courses, programs or training sessions, or any other activity protected by academic freedom.

c. Campus – all University grounds to include Framingham State University owned, leased, supervised, or controlled properties and University owned, leased, or rented vehicles. This includes but is not limited to all University sidewalks, parking lots, landscaped areas, recreational areas, athletic fields, wooded areas; in the interior of all buildings, University residences halls, houses, and in personal vehicles on University property.

d. Individuals – to include all faculty, staff, students, visitors, customers, vendors, consultants, contractors and their employees.

V. PROCEDURES:
a. Effective implementation of this policy depends on the cooperation of all members of the University community. All members of the University may assist in this endeavor to make Framingham State University tobacco and vape free. All members of the University community are encouraged to inform the offending party of the existence of this policy and request adherence to its conditions in a polite, respectful, and supportive manner.

b. Complaints regarding violations of the policy by employees of the University may be brought to the attention of the Office of Human Resources. Human Resources will direct the complaint to the employee’s immediate supervisor. Complaints concerning students may be filed with the Office of Community Standards.

c. Any disciplinary action will be reserved for repeat infractions or infractions that interfere with the University’s mission, consistent with applicable collective bargaining agreement procedures or the Student Code of Conduct.

d. Visitors who fail to comply with the policy may be prohibited from remaining on or returning to campus.

VI. SMOKING CESSATION:
a. Smoking cessation resources are available through the mass.gov and CDC websites. Additionally, students may visit the University Health Center for smoking, and/or vaping cessation resources.

VII. EXCEPTIONS
a. Any exceptions to this policy must be approved by the President of the University.

VIII. REVIEW:
a. This policy will be reviewed bi-annually by the Tobacco Free Task Force Committee. The University reserves the right to make changes to this policy at any time. Revisions and updated information concerning changes in this policy will be made available online in the RAM Handbook (for students) and on the HR Web site (for employees).