Tobacco-free, Smoke-free & Vape-free Campus Policy

Policy Statement

SUNY Brockport is committed to providing a tobacco-free environment including prohibiting the use of all forms of tobacco and vaping products on campus. This policy is a research-based public health strategy recommended by the U.S. Surgeon General and is in compliance with New York State regulations.

Purpose/Scope

This policy promotes a healthy, safe and sustainable environment that protects all members of the SUNY Brockport community from involuntary exposure to secondhand smoke and/or secondhand aerosol.  

Tobacco use remains the number one cause of preventable death in the U.S. The health risks resulting from secondhand smoke exposure are well documented. This policy will reduce/eliminate involuntary exposure of secondhand smoke. Environmental tobacco smoke (secondhand smoke) is recognized as the third leading cause of preventable death and has been designated as a known human carcinogen (cancer-causing agent) by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Recent scientific evidence indicates that there is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke. Smoke-free and tobacco-free policies are becoming a standard practice for fostering healthy environments at hospitals, private businesses and college campuses across the nation.

Evidence of the potential negative health effects from involuntary exposure to the aerosol emitted by e-cigarette users is emerging. There is potential for exposure to harmful substances, including heavy metals, volatile organic compounds, and ultrafine particles that can be inhaled deeply into the lungs, for both e-cigarette users and bystanders.   

Applicability

This policy applies to all members of the SUNY Brockport community, including students, faculty, staff, administrators, visitors, and community members. Effective implementation of this policy is determined by the cooperation of all members of the SUNY Brockport community. 

Definitions

Tobacco — Any product made or derived from tobacco or which contains nicotine, intended for human consumption, including, but not limited to: cigarettes, cigars, hookah smoked products, bidis, kreteks, electronic smoking devices/electronic cigarettes, electronic aerosol delivery systems, and smokeless tobacco and snus.

Vape/electronic smoking device/electronic cigarette/aerosol — An electronic smoking device that, when activated, produces an aerosol that may be inhaled. This includes any component, accessory and/or any liquid or other substance to be aerosolized, whether or not separately sold. Includes all electronic smoking devices, electronic cigarettes and electronic aerosol delivery systems, regardless of nicotine and/or other drug content level.

Policy Procedures

Provisions

Tobacco use, smoking, and vaping are prohibited on all SUNY Brockport-managed property, both indoors and outdoors. This includes, but is not limited to:

• All buildings operated by SUNY Brockport or its affiliated organizations;  
• Fields, open land areas, athletic fields, tracks, bleachers/grandstands, outdoor paths, SUNY Brockport-owned roads, and parking lots;
• All partially enclosed areas, including covered and uncovered walkways, breezeways, outdoor dining areas, bus stop shelters, loading docks, building entrances, and exterior stairways and landings; and
• All vehicles owned and leased by SUNY Brockport or its affiliated organizations, on or off campus.

Organizers of, and attendees at, public events such as conferences, meetings, lectures, social gatherings, cultural events, and/or athletic events using SUNY Brockport-managed property will be required to abide by this policy.  Organizers of such events are responsible for communicating this policy to attendees and for monitoring events accordingly.

Third-Party Vendors

• The sale of tobacco products on campus is prohibited. This includes the delivery of tobacco products to the campus by means of a delivery service of any kind.
• The free distribution of tobacco products to SUNY Brockport organizations is prohibited.
• SUNY Brockport and affiliated organizations are prohibited from accepting money or gifts from tobacco companies, directly or indirectly. This includes sponsorship of parties by tobacco companies, distribution of free, reduced, or full-price tobacco products, or any promotional items. This does not apply to research funding.
• Tobacco-related advertising or sponsorship is not permitted:
  • on SUNY Brockport-managed property, including billboards or signage in stadiums, and at SUNY Brockport-sponsored events; or
  • in publications produced by SUNY Brockport. 

Signage will be placed at various locations on campus, including building entrances, heavily frequented areas, and sport venues.

Non-compliance with this policy may prompt an educational response by SUNY Brockport, which may include information regarding the existing policy, the rationale for the policy and the availability of nicotine cessation support services, both on and off campus. 

Repeated non-compliance by a student will be referred to the Student Conduct Office to determine if the student is in violation of The Code of Student Conduct. 

Repeated non-compliance by an employee will be referred to the Office of Human Resources and may result in the implementation of further administrative action, up to and including formal disciplinary sanctions.

In the event of non-compliance by visitors or guests, the SUNY Brockport Official in charge of the visitors and/or event is responsible for taking appropriate action to address the situation. 

If you are interested in learning more about tobacco cessation, call the New York State Smokers’ Quit Line at 1-866-NY-QUITS (1-866-697-8487) or visit the NYS “Smoke-Free” website.

Links to Related Procedures and Information

NYS “Smoke-Free” website
US Surgeon General Advisory on E-Cigarettes 

Contact Information

Students may contact the Student Health Center for an appointment for a smoking cessation consultation at (585) 395-2414.

Employees may contact the Office of Human Resources via (585) 395-2126.

Non-compliance issues can be reported to the Office of Human Resources via (585) 395-2126.

History (in descending order)

Approval

This policy was approved by President’s Cabinet on 2021-05-07