Catalog 2019–2020

Policy for Tobacco Products

This is content from the Catalog 2019–2020 back issue. Please visit the current catalog for current information.

In an effort to improve the working and learning environment of the university and protect faculty, staff, students, and visitors from secondhand smoke exposure, the University of Hawaiʻi has implemented a tobacco products policy that not only prohibits smoking in various outdoor areas, but also prohibits the sale of tobacco products on campuses, the sponsorship of campus events or organizations by tobacco companies, and calls for cessation guidance to be provided to individuals who wish to quit their smoking habit.

Smoking is prohibited in the following areas:

  • All interior space owned, rented, or leased by the University;
  • In building courtyards, breezeways, and terraces, on exterior stairways and access ramps, and outdoor dining patios, terraces, and lanais;
  • Within 20 feet of building entrances, exits, air intake ducts, vents, and windows of buildings that are not air-conditioned;
  • Within 50 feet of designated pick-up and drop-off points for campus and public bus transportation;
  • Within the gates of the university’s outdoor sports and performing arts stadiums and arenas, including walkways, corridors, and seating areas; and,
  • Any area that has been designated by the person having control of the area as a non-smoking area and marked with a no smoking sign.

In addition,

  • All University residences became smoke-free by the start of the 2004-2005 academic year.
  • All advertising and sales of tobacco products on University campuses are prohibited (except for the sale or free distribution of non-university supported magazines and newspapers that incidentally contain tobacco product advertising).
  • The distribution of samples of tobacco products or coupons redeemable for tobacco products on university campuses is prohibited.
  • The sponsorship of campus events or campus organizations by tobacco industry or tobacco promoting organizations is prohibited.
  • On-site tobacco product cessation guidance will be made available to assist and encourage individuals who wish to quit. Supervisors may authorize employees who wish to avail themselves of such on-campus programs to do so without any loss in pay.

This policy applies to the entire university community, including faculty, staff, students and visitors. The Office of the Vice President for Administration and Chief Financial Officer is responsible for policy implementation and compliance in collaboration with heads of all UH campuses. Questions, comments, or complaints relating to this policy should be directed to each respective campus head or designees.