Tobacco Free Campus Policy

INTRODUCTION: Tobacco use and secondhand smoke have been identified by the Surgeon General to be the cause of preventable diseases. Additionally, in 2009, the Montana legislature decreed that the "right to breath smoke-free air has priority over the desire to smoke" (Montana Code 50-40-102). It is the policy of MSU to promote the health, wellness, and safety of all employees, students, guests, visitors, and contractors while on campus. Therefore, the campus will be free of tobacco-use effective August 1, 2012.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this policy is create a healthier, cleaner campus living and learning environment on the campus. Therefore, all use of tobacco on the MSU campus, including all facilities operated under the control of MSU, is prohibited.

DEFINITION: For the purposes of this policy, "tobacco" is defined to include any tobacco product, including but not limited to any lighted or unlighted cigarette, cigar, pipe, bidi, hookah, and all forms of smokeless tobacco and any nicotine delivery device that has not been approved by the FDA for cessation.

POLICY:

1. The use of tobacco (including cigarettes, cigars, pipes, smokeless tobacco and all other tobacco products) by students, faculty, staff, guests, visitors, and contractors is prohibited on all properties owned or leased by MSU, including:
   1. all interior space on the MSU campus and property leased by MSU, including the agricultural research centers and other remote sites;
   2. all outside property or grounds on MSU's campuses, including areas such as walkways, breezeways, parking lots, and patios;
   3. all outside property leased by MSU;
   4. all vehicles leased or owned by MSU;
   5. all indoor and outdoor athletic facilities.
2. Advertising, sale, or distribution of tobacco is prohibited on MSU's campus.
3. Tobacco industry and related company sponsorship of campus groups, events, individuals, and departments is prohibited. This includes scholarships, sponsorship of faculty positions, and recruiting for employment. Tobacco industry and related company sponsorship of MSU athletic events and MSU athletes is prohibited.
4. Littering any university property, whether owned or leased, with the remains of tobacco products is prohibited.
5. Organizers and attendees at public events, such as conferences, meetings, public lectures, social events, cultural events, and sporting events using MSU facilities are required to abide by MSU's tobacco-free policy. Organizers of such events are responsible for communicating the policy to attendees and for enforcing this policy.
6. For more information, please access the following link to our FAQs.

TOBACCO USE CESSATION PROGRAMS: Students and employees wanting to quit the use of tobacco can access the Montana Quit Line at 1-800-784-8669 (1-800-QUIT-NOW). Employees on the MUS medical benefits plan can also contact the MUS Employee Benefits Department at 1-877-501-1722 or visit the MUS benefits website at www.mus.edu/choices to explore eligibility for the Tobacco Cessation Benefit.

COMPLIANCE: All university employees, students, visitors, guests, and contractors are required to comply with this policy, which shall remain in effect at all times. Refusal to comply with this policy may be cause for disciplinary action in accordance with employee and student conduct policies. Refusal to comply with the policy by visitors, guests and contractors may be grounds for removal from campus.

EXCEPTIONS: The following activities may be conducted as exceptions to the policy subject to advance approval as indicated.

1. The use of tobacco products in laboratory and classroom instruction/experiments, or for artistic purposes. All research, educational, and/or artistic purposes that involve the use of tobacco on campus must be approved in advance by the Provost or designee. Such use must be preceded by reasonable advance notice to the public. Nothing in this policy is intended to prohibit research on tobacco companies or tobacco products.
2. Specific activities used in connection with the practice of cultural activities by American Indians that are in accordance with the American Indian Religious Freedom Act, 42 U.S.C. sections 1996 and 1996a allow for the use of ceremonial tobacco. All ceremonial use exceptions must be approved in advance by the President of MSU or his/her designee.