University of Mary Washington

Smoking Policy

It is the objective of the University of Mary Washington to provide the healthiest environment possible for students, staff, and faculty members. To this end, it is the policy of the university that (1) smoking is prohibited in all buildings, and UMW and state vehicles, and (2) the right of the nonsmoker to protect from smoke his or her health will take precedence over an individual’s desire to smoke. This policy became operative August 15, 1989, and revised January 1, 2007 in accordance with Virginia Governor’s Executive Order 41, “Banning Smoking in State Offices and Vehicles”.

Both the U.S. Surgeon General and the American Medical Association have stated in the strongest terms that smoking is a leading cause of premature death and disability in this country. In addition, research has shown that nonsmokers with chronic heart or lung disease can experience severe distress when exposed to a sufficient concentration of secondhand or ambient smoke. Many allergic individuals and even healthy nonsmokers report discomfort to secondhand smoke. Recent medical studies indicate that long-term exposure to involuntary smoking may increase nonsmoker’s risk of developing severe lung disease.

Implementation Guidelines

The major items for implementing this policy are listed below:

A. At the entrance of buildings, signs are posted stating “Smoking Prohibited Inside UMW Buildings.”

B.  Location of outdoor smoking areas/accommodations: Smoking is not permitted within 50 feet of any residential buildings. Smoking is permitted outside university buildings where there are designated ashtrays.

B.1. Changes in the location of outdoor smoking areas/accommodations will be determined as follows:

a. Facilities Services will relocate and/or reduce ashtrays and outdoor smoking areas to at least one smoking location per building if all academic department chairs in academic buildings, and all division heads in administrative buildings agree on a new location that meets the needs of employees and students.

b. Employees with complaints concerning outdoor smoking facilities should bring the matter to the attention of their chair or division head, who in turn, will seek an agreement on relocation with other chairs and division heads in their building.

c. If agreement is reached, the requesting chair or division head will contact Facilities Services and request modifications. Where no agreement is reached, smoking facilities will remain as they are.

C. Conflicts which may arise between smokers and nonsmokers will be the responsibility of the following people to resolve: supervisors for classified employees; department chairs and/or Dean of the Faculty; and resident directors for the residence halls. Appeals of decisions may be made with the Assistant Vice President for Human Resources, whose decision is final.

D. “No Smoking” stickers will be placed in all UMW and state vehicles.

E. Smoking cessation literature is available upon request from the Office of Human Resources. Smoking cessation programs will be provided for those who are interested in quitting.

For questions about this policy, please contact the Office of Human Resources at 540/654-1046

Revised 01/01/07