Smoking Policy

Table of Contents

1.	Preamble 1.1 The University has developed a policy on smoking within the workplace in accordance with legal obligations for the health of University staff and students. The duty of care requirements of the Occupational Health Safety and Welfare Act, 1986, the legal requirements of the Tobacco Products Regulation Act, 1997, and the Further Restrictions Amendment Bill, 2004, provide the legal frame of reference for this policy. The main objective of the policy is to reduce passive smoking (ie exposure to environmental tobacco smoke), to protect the health of both non-smokers and smokers, and to protect the University against compensation damages. As a secondary objective reduction of active smoking is encouraged. The policy applies to all University buildings with the exception of the Student Union and independent operations conducting their business on campus, providing those enterprises do not share common air-conditioning circuits with other University areas or common facilities with University personnel. 1.2 All exposures through passive smoking are potentially hazardous to individual health. While exposures are more significant indoors, under certain circumstances, they are also significant outdoors. Therefore, smoking is also prohibited in areas adjacent to buildings where cigarette smoke will accumulate or drift back into the building (eg doorways, courtyards, vestibules, proximity to windows or air conditioning intakes, etc) 1.3 All visitors and contractors will be required to abide by this policy while on University premises.
2.	Definition In accordance with the Tobacco Products Further Restrictions Amendment Bill, 2004, the word 'enclosed' means an area where the ceiling and wallspace is at least 70% enclosed. A 'ceiling' includes umbrellas and sails.
3.	Policy 3.1 As University policy, smoking is prohibited in all workplaces within the University, in particular: all lecture theatres, tutorial rooms, meeting rooms, libraries and any other enclosed area; all areas that are at least 70% enclosed; all areas of courtyards that are covered by verandahs, cloisters or are otherwise at least 70% enclosed; all through ways such as the area that is bounded by the Main Library / Matthew Flinders Theatre and the Humanities Building; all lobbies, foyers and corridors; all offices, laboratories and workshops; all common rooms, tea rooms and staff rooms; all University owned vehicles, boats etcetera; all lifts and toilets; near air conditioning intakes, external doors and windows and all areas where "No Smoking" signs are posted. 3.2 No person (including students) may be required to conduct University business in an area in which tobacco smoke is present, whether that area be indoors or outdoors. Guidelines must be developed by supervisors to cover arrangements for workers exposed to passive smoking while undertaking work outdoors. The Occupational Health and Safety Unit may be consulted for advice. 3.3 Conditions of employment for all staff include reference to the policy on smoking. However, the smoking behaviour of applicants for employment or promotion is not a factor in these selection processes. 3.4 The University provides assistance to active smokers, both staff and students, to reduce or give up smoking. Inquiries should be directed to the Health and Counselling Services.
4.	Breaches of Policy 4.1 Staff 4.1.1 Complaints arising from staff smoking in non-smoking areas should be directed to Executive Deans of Faculty, Librarian, Heads of Academic/Administrative Organisational Units, Executive Director of Administration, employee organisations or elected health and safety representatives. Staff members who fail to comply with the policy will be counselled or warned appropriately by the appropriate person in their management structure. Repeated breaches should be reported to the Vice-Chancellor or Executive Director of Administration, who will deal with them under established grievance procedures. 4.1.2 Breaches of the University's policy on smoking will also be breaches of the Occupational Health Safety and Welfare Act (1986) and (the Tobacco Products Regulation Act, 1997, and the Further Restrictions Amendment Bill, 2004). 4.1.3 The University Health and Safety Committee oversees the policy and may recommend strategies to deal with specific complaints. 4.2 Students 4.2.1 Complaints arising from students smoking in non-smoking areas should be directed to Executive Deans of Faculty, Heads of Academic Organisational Units, or the Faculty General Manager. Students who fail to comply with the policy will be counselled or warned appropriately. 4.2.2 Students who wilfully disregard the University's policy on smoking may have action taken against them under University Statute 6.4 (Maintenance of Order). 4.2.3 Breaches of the University's policy on smoking will also be breaches of the Occupational Health Safety and Welfare Act (1986).
5.	Review 5.1 The Policy will be reviewed every 4 years or more often if circumstances change.