Smoke-Free Campus Policy and FAQs

Effective September 1, 2021, the smoking or vaping of tobacco, cannabis and/or a vapour product and use of any tobacco product is prohibited on all University property and in University-owned vehicles. This policy also prohibits:

• Corporate tobacco, cannabis and/or vaping sponsorship of events or groups operating in buildings, grounds, or other facilities, owned, rented, or leased by the University of Windsor.
• The sale, promotion, advertising or distribution of e-cigarettes, cannabis and tobacco products and smoking devices in all buildings, grounds, or other facilities, owned, rented, or leased by the University of Windsor.

The Smoke-Free Campus Policy applies to all members of the University of Windsor community on University property or using University-owned vehicles, including but not limited to students, faculty, staff, contractors, visitors, and guests.

All events, including conferences and private rental functions, hosted on University property are also subject to the policy.

Smoking is defined as: To inhale, exhale, burn, heat, carry or posses a lighted/heated tobacco, cannabis or other herbal products including cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, pipes, hookahs, e-cigarettes, or other apparatus used to smoke tobacco or any other materials, including cannabis, whether natural or synthetic.

Smoking also includes the use of an electronic smoking device which creates an aerosol or vapor, in any manner or form, or the use of any oral smoking device.

Any land owned, controlled, leased, used, or occupied by the University of Windsor inclusive of buildings, open/outdoor spaces (including sports fields) and parking lots. Smoking (tobacco, vaping, and cannabis) is not permitted on University property.

The Smoke-Free Campus map outlines the areas where smoking is not permitted.

Any and all modes (i.e., car, truck, golf cart, bikes, etc.) used to transport people or goods.

All events occurring on University property are subject to the Smoke-Free Campus Policy. This includes, but is not limited to, athletic events, concerts, theatre, exhibitions, meetings, conferences, etc.

The decision to quit smoking/vaping is a personal choice. The University is committed to providing supports to individuals who may wish to quit smoking/vaping and those who may need help coping with the change. Resources and supports can be found on the Smoke-Free Campus website.

Smoking is a personal choice not a protected right. The Smoke-Free Campus Policy does not restrict an individual’s choice to smoke, use tobacco, vape, or use cannabis but it prohibits smoking or vaping of tobacco, cannabis and/or a vapour product and use of any tobacco product on University property and in University-owned vehicles.

The Smoke-Free Campus Policy reinforces the University’s commitment to:

• Foster a safe and healthy learning and working environment 
• Reduce exposure to smoke, tobacco, and vaping.
• Enhance awareness of the health impacts of smoking, tobacco use and vaping.
• Support reduction and cessation of smoking, tobacco use and vaping through education and supports.

As a smoke-free campus, the University does not have any designated smoking areas.

Please refer to the Smoke-Free Campus Map to find the areas outside the University of Windsor property where you may be able to smoke/vape.

The Smoke-Free Campus Policy includes the following exemptions:

• Tobacco, cannabis, or smoking devices approved for use in teaching and/or research in compliance with research ethics protocols and where all appropriate protections for environmental health and safety are in place.
• Burning or use of sacred and traditional medicines such as tobacco, sweet grass, sage, and cedar by Indigenous peoples for spiritual or cultural purposes in accordance with the Smoke-Free Ontario Act and applicable University guidelines and procedures.
• Subject to the Ontario Human Rights Code, individuals may seek an accommodation in accordance with applicable University guidelines and processes.
• The policy also permits the use of nicotine replacement therapies such as a patch, inhaler, and gum, designed to treat nicotine dependence.

The University of Windsor recognizes the unique relationship that Indigenous cultures have with traditional and sacred medicines such as tobacco, sweet grass, sage, and cedar. As a result, the policy includes the following exemption:

• Burning or use of sacred and traditional medicines such as tobacco, sweet grass, sage, and cedar by Indigenous peoples for spiritual or cultural purposes in accordance with the Smoke-Free Ontario Act and applicable University guidelines and procedures.

The Smoke-Free Campus Policy includes the following exemption:

• Subject to the Ontario Human Rights Code, individuals may seek an accommodation in accordance with applicable University guidelines and processes.

As per the Ontario Human Rights Commission policy guidance, each accommodation request will be considered on an individual, case-by-case basis in order to determine the most reasonable and appropriate accommodation based on the individual circumstances. Employees requesting accommodation are asked to communicate their workplace accommodation needs to their supervisor or Human Resources in accordance with the Workplace Accommodation Guidelines. Students seeking academic accommodation can make requests through the Student Accessibility Services as per the accommodation procedures.

Employees are entitled to specific break and meal periods as outlined in their respective Collective Agreements and/or the Employment Standards Act. Extended breaks will not be provided.

This policy does not prohibit smoking/vaping inside your personal vehicle parked on University property, however, we encourage you to consider the health impacts of smoking in cars and other enclosed spaces.

Smoking in Residence is prohibited in accordance with the Smoke-Free Ontario Act. Students are encouraged to become familiar with the Smoke-Free Campus map which highlights the areas where smoking is not permitted.

This policy has not been designed to negatively impact the career opportunities of students therefore companies who are in the tobacco, smoking, cannabis, and vaping business will not be precluded from participating in career fairs or in providing students with co-op, internships, Work-Integrated-Learning positions, or other job opportunities.

However, when participating in career-related events on campus, these companies will not be able to use any marketing materials/giveaways that promote/encourage smoking, vaping, or cannabis use.

The University’s expectation is that members of the campus community will be respectful of others and will properly dispose of their smoking waste products. Members of the campus and broader community are encouraged to share any litter related concerns resulting from the implementation of this policy to smokefreecampus@uwindsor.ca

The primary purpose of the Smoke-Free Campus Policy is to support the overall health and well-being of the University of Windsor community.

The University understands that policy enforcement will be a significant undertaking and is committed to adopt a supportive awareness raising and education approach to ensure that all members of the campus community are aware of the policy and also when responding to violations of the policy.

The policy highlights various layers of responsibility with respect to policy enforcement. Every member of the University of Windsor community has a shared responsibility to foster a healthy and safe environment and upholding the Smoke-Free Campus Policy. As per the feedback received through the campus consultation and feedback processes, the move to become a smoke-free campus has been supported by students, faculty and staff and the University looks forward to continuing working together with the campus community to support policy compliance. Individuals who repeatedly violate the policy could be subject to disciplinary action/sanctions in accordance with applicable University policies, processes and/or collective agreements.

Across North America, there is growing momentum towards smoke-free environments. According to a report from the Canadian Cancer Society, as of March 2020, 95 Canadian post-secondary institutions prohibited smoking on campus. In Ontario, McMaster University became the first university to be completely smoke-free.

The Smoke-Free Campus Policy confirms the University’s commitment to a safe and healthy learning and working environment. A Smoke-Free Campus Contributes to Building a Healthy Community:

• Creates a Safer Working and Learning Environment. There is no safe level of exposure to second-hand smoke. The adverse health effects are well documented and include conditions such as heart disease, lung cancer and respiratory tract infections.
• Supports Healthy Living. Smoke-Free campus policies have shown to significantly decrease smoking prevalence on campuses and daily cigarette consumption.
• Protects Future Generations. Smoke-Free policies protect against social exposure to smoking, vaping, and cannabis products. Reducing visual and sensory cues is key to preventing people from starting to smoke/vape.
• Builds Awareness and Education. A smoke-free campus enhances the knowledge of the negative impacts of smoking, including new and emerging unhealthy substitutes such as vaping and its long-term health impacts.
• Improves Our Environment. Cigarette butts are a common source of litter which can take up to 10 years to decompose.

(List adapted from: University of Guelph. Smoke-Free Campus Policy: Background and Scientific Rationale.)

As our campus community adjusts to the Smoke-Free Campus Policy, education is key. Not everyone may realize that we are a smoke-free campus or what that means. We encourage you to approach the individual(s) respectfully and politely. These are difficult conversations; the following are some tips to guide you:

• Remember that smoking is an addiction, be mindful of this when approaching the individual. Adapting to the policy can be difficult for some members of the campus community. Approach the individual non-confrontationally, with kindness and compassion.
• Always assume that the person does not know that the University is a smoke-free campus or is not familiar with what is covered under the policy.
• Smile, introduce yourself and politely ask them if they are aware that the University is a smoke-free campus.
• Respectfully request the individual to stop smoking/vaping and point them to the closest place (i.e., city sidewalk) off campus where they can smoke/vape.
• If the person complies, thank them, and encourage them to visit the Smoke-Free Campus website. Let them know that the Smoke-Free Campus signs have a QR code that can easily connect them to information, resources and supports including a map showing the areas where smoking is not permitted.
• If the person refuses to comply, becomes angry or confrontational, do not engage, thank them for listening and walk away. Contact safety@uwindsor.ca.

Signage has been posted in key areas of campus. A clear boundary map of the University’s smoke-free campus has been developed that can help individuals identify the closest spot someone can go to smoke/vape or use tobacco.

Should you have suggestions for signage to be added or increased monitoring of certain areas of campus, please e-mail smokefreecampus@uwindsor.ca

In March 2020, students, faculty, and staff were invited to provide input to help shape the Smoke-Free Campus Policy (tobacco, cannabis, and vaping) and its associated implementation strategies (Education, Awareness Raising, Smoking-cessation Supports and Policy Enforcement). 572 individuals shared their thoughts through the Conversations Boards held at the CAW Student Centre (March 10 & 12, 2020) and the online survey (March 4 - 20, 2020).

The campus community was also invited to share their thoughts by emailing smokefreecampus@uwindsor.ca and using the website’s comment form.

In June 2021, the Smoke-Free Campus Steering Committee invited students, staff and faculty to review the draft Smoke-Free Campus Policy posted on the Smoke-Free Campus website and provide feedback through an anonymous online feedback form. By the June 28, 2021 closing date, a total of 93 responses were received. This information was reviewed by the Policy Development & Enforcement Working Group and changes to the policy were made and recommended to the Smoke-Free Campus Steering Committee.

The opportunity to provide feedback on the draft policy was communicated through the Daily News, mass e-mails and social media.