Smoking Policy
Brandeis University is committed to providing a safe and healthy work environment for all members of the community. Keeping this in mind and in accordance with the Massachusetts Clean Indoor Air Act, the university provides its faculty, staff and students with a smoke-free environment.
This policy pertains to all tobacco, vapor and smoking products, including but not limited to cigarettes, cigars, pipes, “spit” tobacco, e-cigarettes, and vape pens, even if known by any other name.
Applicability
This policy applies to all faculty, staff, students and visitors.
Guidelines
Enforcement and Violations
- Smoking is prohibited in all university-owned vehicles and buildings.
- Smoking is not permitted in outdoor spaces near research areas or facilities where volatile, flammable or explosive materials are stored and/or are in use. Smoking in these areas is dangerous and should be immediately reported to a supervisor, manager or the Office of Public Safety.
- Smoking is not permitted in outdoor spaces near doors, windows or intake vents where secondhand smoke may drift or be pulled into buildings.
- Smokers should stay at least 30 feet away from buildings as measured from the outermost wall surfaces, doors or windows (whichever protrudes most from the building). Where ventilation-intake grates are present outside buildings, the 30 feet should be measured outwards from there. In addition, smokers should respect the request from building occupants to move farther away if needed so that smoke cannot drift into buildings.
- Smoking materials should be extinguished and deposited in the smoking receptacles at various locations on campus.
- Employees who continue to smoke may do so in accordance with these guidelines and so long as they do not interfere with the productivity of the university, their department and other staff or faculty.
It is the responsibility of all members of the Brandeis community to observe and enforce this nonsmoking policy. Violation of this policy should be reported to a supervisor. Violations of the nonsmoking policy may result in corrective action up to and including release from employment or other sanctions.
Retaliation
There is no retaliation against an individual who takes action to report a violation or to otherwise enforce this policy.
Assistance With Smoking Cessation
Smoking tobacco and breathing in secondhand smoke is hazardous to one’s health. Brandeis encourages smokers to stop smoking.
Free smoking cessation information is available through the Massachusetts Tobacco Cessation and Prevention Program at Make Smoking History, 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669 ) or www.makesmokinghistory.org. In addition, employees may contact New Directions, the university’s employee assistance program, at 1-800-828-6025 or https://eap.ndbh.com (login required), for confidential advice or assistance in helping themselves or their family members stop smoking.