Christopher, IMHO, your current definition would not cover e-cigarettes.
What the Georgia Board of Regents has done is include: "...or simulates the use of tobacco...". Their full policy is here: http://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section9/policy/C503/#p9.1.7_tobacco_and_smoke_free_campus_policy. The UNG tobacco-free campus committee also had an interesting discussion yesterday about zeroing in on nicotine instead of tobacco. I believe that would eliminate e-cigarettes (though some research would be appropriate to see if all e-cigs contain nicotine). The other caveat there is that we don't want to ban smoking cessation products (such as patches) which contain nicotine. One other thought.... You always have the right to be more restrictive than state law, so it would not be necessary to wait for the state to cover this. Dealing with the resistance to unilaterally imposing such restrictions is, of course, another matter. Good luck, Alan Alan Sibert University Policies Coordinator UNIVERSITY of NORTH GEORGIA Physical Address: 60 West Main Street / Room 239 Mailing Address: 82 College Circle Dahlonega, GA 30597 706-867-2558 (Office) 678-485-1765 (Cell) From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Hourigan, Christopher Sent: Thursday, September 25, 2014 9:50 AM To: Institutional policy-related discussions Subject: RE:[acupa-l] Smoking Policy Question Dear Colleagues, Several months ago, there was chatter on the list-serve regarding the application of institutional smoking policies to e-cigarettes. See e-mail string below. I would like to re-introduce this topic, as we have recently been discussing our policy. Like most, our policy prohibits smoking in buildings, offices, college vehicles, etc. Our definition of "smoking" is as follows and was taken directly from state legislation: "The act of inhaling, exhaling, burning, or carrying any lighted cigar, cigarette, pipe, weed, plant, or other combustible substance in any manner or in any form; provided, however, that smoking shall not include burning during a religious ceremony." We've had some discussions on campus about whether this definition would cover e-cigarettes. In my view, there are two key words here: "lighted" and "combustible." If, in fact, an e-cigarette is considered "lighted" or "combustible," then our policy would prohibit smoking one as it prohibits smoking traditional cigarettes in buildings, classrooms, etc. If it is not considered "lighted" or "combustible," then our policy really doesn't address e-cigarettes. Hence, I have a few questions that I would like this group's feedback on: 1.) Do you think our definition covers e-cigarettes? 2.) If not, and we don't want to revise our policy at this time (we'd prefer to wait until the state updates its definition of smoking), how can we stop students from smoking e-cigarettes in class and in buildings? My thought is that, in the absence of a policy, faculty can get away with prohibiting e-cigarettes as a distraction, like many prohibit students from eating in class or checking their cellphones. For neither of these distractions is there an official policy, but that doesn't stop faculty from not allowing them. Often, such prohibitions are listed on a syllabus. How have other institutions stopped students from using e-cigarettes without having an official policy to which to refer? Please share. I look forward to your feedback. Thanks in advance! Christopher P. Hourigan, Ed.D. Director of Institutional Research & Planning Rhode Island College 600 Mount Pleasant Avenue Providence, RI 02908 (401) 456-8998 [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> From: [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Joann Bova Sent: Thursday, February 27, 2014 11:49 AM To: Institutional policy-related discussions Subject: RE:[acupa-l] Smoking Policy Question At Florida International University, we have provided copies of our University regulation to students we've encountered in the hallways smoking e-cigs. It reads as follows: FIU-113 Smoke and Tobacco-Free Campus (1) Definitions: (a) "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 smoked tobacco. (b) "Tobacco products" means cigarettes, cigars, pipes, smokeless tobacco, snuff, chewing tobacco, smokeless pouches, and any other form of loose-leaf, smokeless tobacco. (c) "University campus" or "campus" shall include all those lands occupied or controlled by Florida International University; which includes, but is not limited to the inside of all buildings, parking garages, parking lots, athletic fields, and all stadium seating. (2) Smoking and/or use of any tobacco product is prohibited in all areas of the University campus. (3) Sale of all tobacco products is prohibited on the University campus. (4) Smoking and/or the use of tobacco products may be permitted in specific designated areas as part of a University approved research or education program. (5) Effective date for this regulation shall be January 1, 2011. Specific Authority: Board of Governors Regulation 1.001(7)(g). History: New 11-17-10. From: [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Resue, Margaret Sent: Thursday, February 27, 2014 10:42 AM To: [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> Subject: [acupa-l] Smoking Policy Question Colleagues, Does anyone have a policy that addresses the 'new smokeless cigarettes' on campus or more specifically in class? Since our current policy does not cover the 'new electronic' cigarettes, students are pushing the envelope by 'smoking' on these during classes to the distraction of other students and their professors. Thank you, Meg Resue Sr Executive Assistant, Institutional Compliance Gloucester County College 856-415-2101 [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> ATTN: Please be aware that when you respond to an ACUPA-L e-mail, the reply will be distributed to the ENTIRE e-listing of members. 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We will remove you from the list within 24 hours during normal business hours. http://www.acupa.org/MembershipForm_Discontinue.html ATTN: Please be aware that when you respond to an ACUPA-L e-mail, the reply will be distributed to the ENTIRE list of members. If you do NOT want to send an e-mail to everyone, please reply directly to the individual who initiated the query (their e-mail address appears in the "From" line of their original e-mail). If you wish to remove yourself from the ACUPA e-mail list, please go to the following website and complete the form. We will remove you from the list within 24 hours, during normal business hours. http://www.acupa.org/MembershipForm_Discontinue.html If you have questions about the ACUPA e-list, please contact Jamie Parris at [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]?subject=ACUPA%20e-list%20assistance> or 607-255-6837.
