Smoke Free Campus Policy

Purpose: 

To support the health of our employees, students, and community members, Willamette University properties are smoke free environments. This policy applies to all members of the community and serves to minimize the negative effects of secondhand smoke and tobacco use within our community.

Definitions Related to this Policy:

Inhalant Delivery Systems include devices that can be used to deliver nicotine or cannabinoids in the form of a vapor or aerosol to a person inhaling from the device. This includes any component of such a device or a substance in any form sold for the purpose of being vaporized or aerosolized by such a device.

Members of the Community includes, but is not limited to; academic appointees, employees, students, volunteers, contractors, guests, and visitors to all University controlled properties. 

Smoke Free means that smoking is prohibited. This prohibition includes the use of regulated and unregulated nicotine products, cannabis products, and the use of electronic smoking devices such as e-cigarettes. 

Smoking means possession of a lighted cigarette, cigar, pipe, water-pipe or hookah or any product consumed in a similar manner; and the use of an unlit cigarette, cigar, pipe, water-pipe or hookah, or the use of an electronic cigarette, cigar, pipe or any other device intended to simulate smoking.

Tobacco Product means all forms of tobacco, including but not limited to cigarettes, cigars, pipes, hookahs, electronic cigarettes, and all other products used in all forms of smoking devices and inhalant delivery systems.

Tobacco-Related means the use of tobacco brand or corporate name, trademark, logo, symbol, motto, or selling message that is identifiable with those used for any brand of tobacco products or company which manufactures tobacco.

University Controlled Properties means all property regulated, owned, or controlled by Willamette University, including, but not limited to buildings, parking garages, parking lots, athletic fields, and stadium seating. University owned properties leased to others, and properties leased to the University in which the University has a 100% ownership interest or an exclusive lease interest.

Policy: 

1. Willamette University prohibits Smoking at all University Controlled Properties and in university vehicles, whether owned, leased, or rented by the University. Smoking of any substance, including via any electronic Smoking devices or Inhalant Delivery Systems, (e.g., e-cigarettes, vape pens) is strictly prohibited in all indoor and outdoor spaces and facilities, including parking lots or areas owned, regulated, or controlled by the university. Event organizers are responsible for communicating this policy to event attendees.
2. Visitors, guests, volunteers, trainees, vendors, contractors, and supplemental employees employed through contract agencies, must be made aware of, and are expected to adhere to, this Smoke Free policy. Notice of this policy should be included in contracts when applicable.
3. The sale and advertising of tobacco, Tobacco-Related products, electronic Smoking devices, and products related to electronic Smoking devices are prohibited at all University Controlled Properties except for advertising included in newspapers, magazines, or other written materials not authored by Willamette community members that are sold, bought, or distributed on our property (e.g., The Statesman Journal).
4. Non-compliance will be handled through our established employee policies, and, if a student, the Student Code of Conduct.
5. Smoking may be permitted for traditional ceremonial activities of recognized cultural and/or religious groups with prior approval.
6. Research involving Smoking, for educational or clinical purposes, may proceed upon review and written approval by appropriate research protocol committees.
7. For property acquired or received by gift, or bequest after the effective date of this policy, the provision of this policy shall apply (1) 30 days following the date of such acquisition or receipt, if the property is then unoccupied; or (2) if the property is occupied at the time of acquisition or receipt, 30 days following the expiration of such pre-existing occupancy agreement.
8. Community members who encounter an individual who is violating the policy, but do not feel comfortable approaching the person in violation, should contact Campus Safety.

Effective Date: April 10, 2024
Responsible Person/Primary Contact: Director of Campus Safety & Emergency Management
Responsible University Office: Campus Safety