Human Resources -- Smoking Policy

Smoking in the workplace is an important health related issue. The evidence of the health risk from smoking tobacco and second hand smoke is cumulative and persuasive. In support of this evidence, New York State (NYS) has amended the NYS Clean Indoor Act, effective July 23, 2003 (Public Health Law, Article 13-E). This act prohibits smoking virtually all workplaces, including restaurants and bars.

President Spina has requested the college community revisit and update the current SUNYIT smoking policy since the last revision was in 2001. A joint faculty/staff/management/student committee on smoking in the workplace has been appointed by President Spina in cooperation with various campus unions to address this issue. The committee is made up of representatives from CSEA, PEF, Council 82, UUP, SUNYIT Student Association and Management. The smoking committee has revised this policy fully acknowledging the rights of non-smokers as well as smokers.

Taking its direction from New York's Clean Indoor Air Act, signed into law 1/1/90, the campus committee recommends that the SUNYIT adopt a policy which provides for an environment which is smoke free. Outdoor smoking is LIMITED to clearly identified designated areas only, thereby accommodating the concerns of students, employees, clients and visitors to SUNYIT.

<<< back to top

Background

Many scientific studies, including the 1986 report of the U.S. Surgeon General, have cited involuntary exposure to tobacco smoke as the cause of several diseases or health problems in otherwise healthy non-smokers. The health hazards include lung cancer, respiratory infection, decreased exercise tolerance, decreased respiratory function, and bronchial constriction. "Exposure to tobacco smoke precipitates or aggravates allergic attacks in persons with respiratory allergies and accelerates such allergic symptoms as eye irritation, nasal symptoms, headaches, coughs, wheezing, sore throats and hoarseness."
A significant percentage of faculty, staff and students do not smoke.
The State of New York in conjunction with the State employee unions have encouraged a Smoking Policy.
The New York State Public Health Law (Article 13-E) established specific regulations for smoking in both public and private places. The law regulates smoking in the workplace and indoor areas open to the public. This SUNYIT policy reflects this law.

<<< back to top

Policy

It is the policy of SUNYIT to achieve a public environment which is as smoke free as possible for all students, employees and visitors. Smoking is strictly prohibited in ALL non-residential college buildings and in all vehicles owned, leased or operated by SUNYIT. Stairways, hallways, lobbies, vestibules are all considered part of a building, thus smoking is also prohibited in these areas. Smoking is prohibited except in these designated areas.

Smoking is prohibited in all indoor areas including all stairways, hallways, lobbies and vestibules (Residential Hall exemption)

Smoking is allowed only in these outdoor designated areas:

(a) Kunsela Hall - Outdoors near Room C009

(b) Donovan Hall - Outdoor patio area near the back/north entrance

(d) Facilities Building - Outdoor area near the lunch room

(e) Library - Outdoor patio area, extreme right of the main entrance

(f) Residence Halls - Please refer to the Residence Halls Smoking Policy

SUNYIT recognizes that smoking is an addictive habit and that persons who wish to quit smoking often need support. SUNYIT is committed to providing assistance to those individuals that wish to quit smoking. Students should contact the Health & Wellness Center at 792.7172, employees should contact the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) 315.793.2201, Lifeworks 1.800.362.9874 or Human Resources at 792.7191.

<<< back to top

Implementation

Administrators/Department Heads (Vice Presidents, Deans and Directors or their designees) have an obligation to be aware of the SUNYIT Smoking Policy and ensure that their subordinates are aware of this policy and their responsibility. It is the administrators/department heads responsibility to assure that this policy is communicated to everyone within their jurisdiction including all employees, students, clients and visitors.

The Office of Corporate Events is responsible to provide the SUNYIT Smoking Policy to all outside groups that use the campus.

<<< back to top

Enforcement

This policy relies on consideration and cooperation of the entire college community, smokers and non-smokers. It is the responsibility of ALL members in the college community to observe this smoking policy and to direct those who choose to smoke to do so ONLY in the outdoor designated smoking areas.

Complaints relating to the implementation of this policy should be referred to the appropriate department head. If the department head cannot satisfactorily resolve the complaint concerning an employee, then the Assistant Vice-President of Human Resources should be contacted. For students, if the department head cannot satisfactorily resolve the complaint, the Director of Campus Life should be contacted. ALL members of the college community, especially the administrators/department heads, have a responsibility to remind offenders of this policy, otherwise they provide passive approval by their silence.

University Police will intervene if the offenders do not appropriately respond to the requests of the members of the college community. Students will be held accountable to this policy as well as other policies/procedures outlined in the Student Handbook Student Code of Conduct.

Faculty, staff, students and visitors also have the ability to file a complaint directly with the Oneida County Health Department at 798.5064.

<<< back to top

Review

The provisions of the smoking policy shall be subject to future review and revision to ensure that its objective is obtained.

<<< back to top

Effective Date

This revised smoking policy will be implemented on May 31, 2005.

<<< back to top

Residence Hall Non-Smoking Policy

The purpose of the non-smoking policy is to limit exposure of the SUNYIT Residence Hall community to the effects of second hand smoke, and to reduce the risk of fire in and around the residence halls.

Absolutely no smoking will be permitted inside any residence hall room, suite or building (including entry canopy).
Smoking will be permitted outside of buildings only in designated smoking areas.
Students are responsible for the proper disposal of smoking material in campus-provided smoking receptacles.
Students are responsible for notifying their guests of the smoking policy and that they are abiding by the policy.
Damage/cleaning charges as well as judicial action may apply to students who choose to violate the smoking policy
This policy stresses the rights of non-smokers to enjoy a smoke-free environment in the residence halls. It relies on the cooperation of the entire college community, smokers and non-smokers. It is the responsibility of all members in the college community to observe the smoking policy and to direct those who choose to smoke to do so only in the designated smoking areas.

Enforcement

This policy stresses the rights of non-smokers to enjoy a smoke free environment in the Residence Halls. It relies on consideration and cooperation of the entire college community, smokers and non-smokers.

It is the responsibility of ALL members in the college community to observe this smoking policy and to direct those who choose to smoke to do so ONLY in the designated smoking areas.

Complaints relating to the implementation of this policy should initially be referred to the appropriate Resident Assistant (RA). If the RA cannot satisfactorily resolve the complaint, then the Director of College Housing should be contacted. ALL members of the college community have a responsibility to remind offenders of this policy, otherwise they provide passive approval by their silence.

<<< back to top

Visitors

It is the responsibility of each student resident to inform visitors of the SUNYIT Smoking Policy. Residents are responsible for the behaviors of their visitor(s).
Residents or their visitors found in violation of the smoking policy will be subject to the policies and procedures outlined in the Student Handbook Student Code of Conduct.

<<< back to top