Boston College, MA University Smoking Policy

Type: Policy
Status: Last revised on 9/5/03
Source File: http://www.bc.edu/offices/policies/meta-elements/pdf/policies/I/1-300-010.pdf
Text:
Introduction
Tobacco smoke, whether inhaled directly by a smoker, or indirectly by a person near a smoker, can be a danger to one's health. A January 7, 1993, report released by the Environmental Protection Agency underscored the health risks of secondhand, or passive, smoke by linking this type of smoke to 3,000 lung cancer deaths per year, and by classifying secondhand smoke as a Class A known human carcinogen. Smoking can also be a cause of annoyance, physical discomfort, and mental stress, particularly for those who suffer allergic or chronic reactions to smoke and other impurities in the air. The purpose of this policy is to provide reasonable protection to the health of all members of the Boston College community from the effects of tobacco smoke.
Definitions
Smoking is defined as the lighting or burning, or inhaling and exhaling, of any cigar, cigarette, pipe, or other tobacco product or smoking equipment.
Hazardous areas include certain research areas, laboratory areas, or areas where volatile, flammable, and/or explosive materials are in use.
Policy
Smoking is prohibited in all Boston College buildings and vehicles. This prohibition applies to all indoor air space including private faculty and administrative offices, all areas of residence halls, and dining facilities. Smoking is also prohibited outdoors within twenty feet of a residence hall. It is the responsibility of all faculty, staff, and students to observe and enforce the nonsmoking policy. To implement and enforce this policy, common courtesy and consideration toward others should be exercised.
Smoking is permitted only in open areas outside buildings, if the area is not identified as a hazardous area and is not within twenty feet of a residence hall.
The Facilities Management Department is responsible for posting standardized signs at each entrance of all University buildings indicating that smoking is prohibited therein.
The University's Faculty/Staff Assistance Program offers a program called Fresh Start, the American Cancer Society's program designed to help smokers become nonsmokers. Employees of the University who have been thinking about quitting smoking are encouraged to attend.
Any employee who objects to smoking behavior that is not in compliance with this policy, or who objects to the impact of this policy on his or her rights as an employee at Boston College, may communicate those objections to the University following the employee grievance procedures set forth in the BOSTON COLLEGE EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK. These procedures encourage employees and managers to resolve any employment-related problems on an informal basis at the level of the organization at which the problems have arisen. Whenever a problem cannot be resolved informally, and a grievance evolves, the University will provide for a formal review of that grievance in order to seek a fair and timely resolution of the problem. No employee will be discriminated against because he or she has sought resolution of a problem through the grievance procedures described.
Annual Policy Review
The Office of the General Counsel is responsible for reviewing and revising this policy as required. Recommended additions, deletions, or revisions should be directed to the attention of this office.
Category:Colleges
Category:Massachusetts
Category:Policies
Category:Smoking