Tobacco Policy
Message Sent to Campus Community
November 20, 2014
From: Mo Qayoumi, President
Subject: Presidential Directive 2014-01 [pdf] | San Jose State University will become a smoke-free and tobacco-free campus on August 1, 2015.
Background
In 2011, the campus participated in the San Jose State Smoking Policy Survey which surveyed the attitudes of students, faculty, staff and administration toward smoking. 72 percent of the more than 2,300 participants were students. Close to 65 percent of those surveyed supported a smoke-free campus.
The effects of smoking, second hand smoke and tobacco have been well established. It is widely accepted that there are negative health, environmental and economic consequences as the result of smoking and the use of tobacco products. Examples include:
Health
- Coronary Heart Disease
- Stroke
- Lung and other cancers
- Chronic bronchitis and emphysema
Environmental
Cigarette butts contribute a large percentage of California waste and are the source of toxins to our aquatic ecosystems. Additionally, improperly discarded cigarettes, including electronic cigarettes can cause wildfires and house fires.
Economic
In addition to the high cost of smoking to the individual smoker, there are significant costs associated with environmental cleanup and heath care expenditures.
In creating a smoke-free and tobacco-free environment on campus, San Jose State hopes to encourage the following:
- Prevent the usage of tobacco products on campus
- Encourage current users to quit or decrease use
- Prevent second hand smoke exposure on campus
- Prepare students to enter smoke-free work environments
Authority
San Jose State has been delegated the authority to implement a smoking policy, according to Title 5, AB 846 and HR 2003-19.
Title 5 § 42356
The president of each campus and the Chancellor for the headquarters office may adopt
rules regulating smoking on the campuses and property of the California State University.
AB 846
AB 846 extends the current ban on smoking in state buildings to city and county buildings
and expands the non-smoking perimeter around main entrances of such buildings to 20-feet.
HR 2003-19
State agencies are free to adopt other smoking and tobacco control regulations that
are more restrictive than AB 846.
Directive
San Jose State is committed to promoting a healthy learning and working environment. Consistent with this commitment, smoking and tobacco use is prohibited in all indoor and outdoor areas on campus, including vehicles and parking lots. Areas currently designated as smoking areas will be eliminated. The sale of tobacco products is prohibited, as is tobacco related advertising and sponsorship.
Scope
This directive applies to all SJSU students, faculty, staff, administrators and visitors and to all indoor and outdoor areas on campus.
“Campus” refers to all of San Jose State, including South Campus, and leased buildings.
“Smoking” is defined as inhaling, exhaling, burning or carrying a lighted cigarette, cigar, pipe or electronic cigarette.
“Tobacco product” is any item containing tobacco leaf and any product containing biologically active amounts of nicotine that can be inhaled. It does not include any product designed and approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the use in treating nicotine or tobacco dependence.
“Visitors” refers to any individuals on campus who are not SJSU students, faculty, staff and administrators.
Compliance
The Spartan community is responsible for the success of this directive. This directive will be widely posted and it is expected that students, faculty, staff and administrators will adhere to the directive. It is hoped that compliance will be voluntary; however, the university reserves the right to institute fines for infractions.
Students living in Housing must adhere to the Student Housing License Agreement and employees are expected to adhere to all Presidential Directives.
