Revised non-smoking policy to tighten guidelines on campus

Health and wellness officers at Oakland have what they feel is a very important question to ask every member of the campus community:

“Did you know that there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke?”

It’s a question that senior-level university administrators considered carefully last year, and the answer led them to approve a revised non-smoking policy that prohibits smoking not only inside university buildings, but also within a 50-foot perimeter outside them. The policy also prohibits smoking in university-owned vehicles.

“We know the adoption of these kinds of policies can be seen as controversial by some, but it’s important that people on campus understand that we’re doing our best to protect individual rights rather than to restrict them,” said Cora Hansen, Oakland’s environmental health and life safety manager.

“It is incumbent upon us to provide an atmosphere in which people are not unwillingly subjected to conditions harmful to their health. The revised non-smoking policy helps ensure that we meet this obligation.”

In adopting this most recent update to Policy 475, university leadership cited its need to remain in compliance with the Michigan Indoor Clean Air Act. Along the same lines, administrators continue to study the impacts of both current and potential policy provisions, and may consider additional revisions in the future.

To help ease the current transition for those who prefer to smoke, cigarette urns have been placed in various locations throughout campus. Those smoking near these receptacles can be assured that they are not acting in violation of university policy.

Grounds and facilities also subject to the Michigan Indoor Clean Air Act, but governed by their own non-smoking policies, include the Meadow Brook subdivision, Meadow Brook Music Festival, Meadow Brook Hall, and the Golf and Learning Center.

“We’re doing our best to make sure everyone is aware of this change, but we’re hoping that word of mouth will help spread the message,” Hanson said. She added that the revised policy encourages university employees to ask violators to either refrain from smoking or leave the public place where the violation is occurring.

All university employees and students should be aware that smoking in prohibited areas will be addressed in the same manner as any other violation of university policy, up to and including disciplinary action. Individuals wishing to report violations should review procedures outlined Policy 475 rather than contact the Oakland University Police Department, as violations do not rise to the level of criminal activity.

“Our primary goal is to promote health and safety for every person here at OU,” Hanson explained. “This is one of a variety of efforts we’re moving forward with, and clearly an important one given the health hazard that tobacco smoke presents.”

Those interested in learning more about health and wellness initiatives at Oakland, including smoking cessation programs, are encouraged to visit the Building a Better U website and Graham Health Center’s Health Services website.