U of G administration drafts policy with community input
University of Guelph administration is drafting their policy to ban all tobacco-related products like cigarettes, e-cigarettes, chew, shisha, and pipes. The ban will not take effect in January of 2019. The committee charged with drafting the policy will continue their work throughout the winter.
Exceptions to the campus ban will include Indigenous use of traditional medicines and practices, as well as tobacco-related research studies.
The administration hopes to have the policy implemented shortly following the winter semester.
Don O’Leary, VP (Finance, Administration & Risk), said that most of the enforcement of the policy will be done through education and resources like ‘stop smoking’ campaigns and a boundary map. However, O’Leary told The Ontarion that under current existing legislation there are fines and penalties for repeat offenders, but he said that “would be a very last step.”
That policy could change in future revisions.
In the information session held on Nov. 26 in Peter Clarke Hall, O’Leary said there are no plans for designated smoking areas, including smoking areas for physical resources and hospitality staff.
When asked if staff will have time-leniency to walk to an acceptable smoking area during their 15-minute break, O’Leary said that he will leave it to the discretion of the supervisors, but sees no reason there wouldn’t be leniency.
“I think supervisors have to be respectful of [smokers] and work with people over time,” O’Leary said.
He also mentioned that at this point, a cannabis ban has not been integrated into the smoke free policy. Extra time is needed to allow for President Vaccarino to consult with the community regarding a cannabis on campus policy, according to O’Leary.
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons