Smoke Free Campus

Westminster College Smoking Policy July 1, 2010

Westminster College is committed to providing its students, employees, and visitors with a safe and healthy environment.
The 2006 U.S. Surgeon General's report on Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke concluded:

• Secondhand smoke exposure causes disease and premature death in children and adults who do not smoke.
• Exposure to secondhand smoke has immediate adverse effects on the cardiovascular system and causes heart disease and lung cancer.
• There is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke.
• The simple separation of smokers and nonsmokers within the same air space may reduce, but does not eliminate, the exposure of nonsmokers to environmental tobacco smoke.

Numerous studies, including studies from The National Cancer Institute, World Health Organization, Environmental Protection Agency, and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Protection, have found that secondhand smoke is a toxic air contaminant, there are no safe levels of exposure, and implementing smoke-free environments are the only effective way to protect the population from the harmful effects of exposure to secondhand smoke.

In light of these findings, the Westminster College Smoking Policy - established on July 1, 1993* and amended in 1999** -- is revised as follows:

1. Smoking shall be prohibited in all college buildings, college-owned residences, and fraternity houses*.
2. Smoking is prohibited in college-owned vehicles**.
3. Smoking shall be prohibited in all outdoor areas of campus. The "campus" includes all owned facilities, athletic venues and college owned residential units***. This includes the campus areas from Jefferson St. to Hackberry (east of Hickman). and W. 8th Street to W. 4th Street.
4. In order to support this policy the campus shall make smoking cessation programs available to students, faculty and staff.

Campus Non-Smoking Areas

Smoking is prohibited in all indoor and outdoor areas of Westminster campus. "Campus" is defined as all areas on the campus map from Jefferson Street to Hackberry St. (east of Hickman) and W. 8th Street to 4th Street. The Westminster College campus map is available by clicking here. 

Fraternity houses will follow national fraternity guidelines and remain smoke-free indoors. Fraternity houses that opt to allow smoking on their property will designate one outdoor smoking area that is away from main entrances, walkways and windows and has an appropriate cigarette disposal container.

For the purpose of this policy, “smoking” is defined to include any lighted cigarette, electronic cigarette (vaping pen, juuls, etc.), cigar, pipe, hookah, bidi, clove cigarette, and any other smoking product.

All college employees, students, visitors and contractors are required to comply with this policy, which shall remain in force at all times.

Faculty, staff, students, and visitors who wish to smoke may only do so outside of campus boundaries or in personal vehicles. Questions and problems regarding this procedure will be handled through existing administrative processes and should be addressed by the Vice President for Student Life.

It is not the intention of this procedure to isolate or stigmatize any person because they choose to smoke. The success of this procedure will depend on the thoughtfulness, consideration, and cooperation of smokers and nonsmokers.

Policy Enforcement

Enforcement of the smoking policy is the shared responsibility of the entire campus. The success of this policy depends upon the courtesy, respect, and cooperation of all members of the Westminster community -- smokers and non-smokers, students and employees. Any members of the college community may take the initiative to inform individuals of the policy and politely ask for their compliance.
Established disciplinary procedures will be applied to individuals who violate this policy.