Home > Wellness > Tobacco > Policy

Tobacco-Restricted Campus Policy

I. Policy Statement

SUNY Canton serves to protect the health, safety, and comfort of its students, employees, and visitors while fostering a respect for others and the environment. The College joins the American College Health Association (ACHA) in supporting the findings of the Surgeon General that tobacco use in any form, active or passive, is a significant health hazard. Moreover, SUNY Canton recognizes that environmental tobacco smoke is classified as a Group A carcinogen by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

In the fall of 2012, the College began its transition to a tobacco-free campus. During this time, designated tobacco-use areas on campus were significantly reduced and tobacco-free areas significantly increased. As of January 1, 2014, SUNY Canton will continue this transition with a second reduction in tobacco areas:

Tobacco use is only allowed in the following areas:

• Heritage, Smith, Rushton, and Mohawk Gazebos
• Kennedy Hall Picnic Area

Tobacco use is no longer allowed in the following areas:

• Wicks and Nevaldine Gazebos
• College sidewalks, the campus plaza, building entrances and common areas, landscape areas, recreational areas, parking lots, and campus buildings on College property
• Interior of all buildings located on the College property and vehicles owned or operated by SUNY Canton and personally owned and rented vehicles when used to transport SUNY Canton faculty, staff, or students on any college‐related business, academic, or student life activities.
• Residence hall facilities; smoking or the carrying of lighted cigars, cigarettes, pipes or any other form of smoking object is prohibited in all areas of the residence halls including hallways, bathrooms, lounges, laundry rooms, offices, and vestibules.
• Within 50 feet of any building entrance or exit, including immediate vicinity of all windows and air intakes.
• Covered walkways or building over hangs.

II. Reason for the Policy

Some of the reasons for SUNY Canton’s commitment to becoming tobacco free include:

• Promoting respect for others and the environment
• Reducing the health hazards posed by exposure to second-hand smoke on campus
• Preparing students for increasingly tobacco-free workplaces
• Helping prevent desecration of the campus environment by tobacco litter
• Supporting campus wellness

III. Definitions

For the purposes of this policy, the following definitions apply:

• “Tobacco” is defined as all tobacco and tobacco-derived products intended for human consumption, including, but not limited to:

  cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, cigars, hookah-smoked products, clove cigarettes, bidis, kreteks, synthetic marijuana, smokeless tobacco and snus. This definition does not include any product that has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for sale as a tobacco use cessation product.

• “College” is defined as SUNY Canton.
• “SUNY Canton property” is defined as any property owned, leased or operated by SUNY Canton.

IV. Components of the Policy

Cessation

The College will make every reasonable effort to assist those employees and students who wish to stop using tobacco. The Campus will promote and provide evidence-based cessation resources. Students can access cessation treatment, including counseling and nicotine replacement therapy, at the Davis Health Center. Employees can access support through the Employee Assistance Program.

Compliance and Communication

This policy applies to all College employees, students, visitors, and vendors and is driven by respect for others and the environment. The entire campus is empowered to appropriately and civilly inform a violator of the policy and ask them to move to a designated tobacco use area. We anticipate that most instances of violation of this policy can be remedied through education and/or informal reminders. As tobacco regulations are college policy, serious or repeat violations may subject employees to disciplinary action as contained in the appropriate articles of the union contract. Students may be subject to disciplinary action as contained in the Student Handbook. Additionally,

• The sale of tobacco products or tobacco-related merchandise is prohibited on College property.
• The free distribution (sampling) of tobacco products and associated products is prohibited on the College properties.
• Sponsorship of campus events by organizations that promote tobacco use is prohibited.
• Advertisement of tobacco products at campus events is prohibited regardless of sponsorship.
• Organizers of public events on campus are responsible to communicate this policy to attendees.

Policy Review

SUNY Canton will maintain a broad-based Tobacco Advisory Committee to identify and address needs and concerns related to this policy, implementation, compliance, enforcement, and cessation. The Tobacco Advisory Committee will review this policy on a regular basis to ensure that it is sustained, effective, and up to date.