University of Missouri Tobacco Policy

Adopted: June 2013

Revised: June 2018

Responsible Office: UM Wellness

Section 1. Policy Statement

In recognition of the health and safety benefits of tobacco-free air and the responsibility to provide and maintain an optimally healthy and safe working and living environment for faculty, students, staff and visitors, the University of Missouri is smoke and tobacco-free.

Section 2. Procedures

1. “Tobacco” or “tobacco product” means any tobacco, electronic nicotine devices (ENDS), and hookah including, but are not limited to, products containing any pharmacologically active amounts of synthetic or tobacco derived nicotine intended for human consumption by ways such as vaporization, inhalation, absorption, heat not burn, and any ancillary device for such products. This excludes any product that has been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for sale as a tobacco cessation product or for other therapeutic purposes.
2. “University Community” means all University of Missouri students, faculty, staff, contractors, University affiliates, and other persons on campus, regardless of the purpose for their visit.
3. “University Property” means all facilities, property, grounds, fields, sports/recreational areas, stadiums, parking structures, parking lots and vehicles, owned or leased, regardless of location. All enclosed places, including, but not limited to, all buildings, offices, classrooms, hallways, waiting rooms, restrooms, meeting rooms, community areas, performance venues and private residential space (this includes space in University of Missouri housing). The policy does not apply to individuals in privately owned or privately leased vehicles with the windows and sunroofs or similar devices in the fully closed position.
4. “Tobacco Free” means prohibiting the use of all tobacco products as defined in Section 2.A.

Section 3. Prohibited Products

The University of Missouri shall be free from use of all tobacco products by university community on university property.

This policy applies to all streets and sidewalks running through campus borders that are owned and maintained by the University of Missouri, as well as all streets and sidewalks that fall under the City of Columbia Ord. 22246, allowing the University a “right of use permit” to enforce university policy on city owned property.

Littering the campus with the remains of tobacco products or any other related waste product is prohibited. No tobacco receptacles shall be provided at any location within the boundaries of campus.

This policy applies at all times, twenty-four (24) hours a day; seven (7) days a week.

Section 4. Promotion and Sale of Prohibited Products

No University entity shall accept advertising or sponsorship of any prohibited products on University property, during University events, or in publications produced by the University. For the purposes of this policy, this applies to all prohibited product brands or corporate names, trademarks, logos, symbols, or mottos, selling messages, recognizable patterns or colors, or any other indicia of products identical to or similar to, or identifiable with, those used for any brand of prohibited products or company which manufactures prohibited products.

Prohibited products shall not be sold or distributed as samples on university property.

Section 5. Communication

Information about the policy, how to comply, and any changes to the policy shall be broadly communicated, and posted on the University of Missouri’s website. Signage shall be posted throughout the University Property to inform the University Community of the policy.

Section 6: Cessation

On-site tobacco cessation programs shall be made available to assist and encourage individuals who wish to quit. Information about all cessation opportunities for the University Community can be found at the MU Wellness Resource Center.

Section 7. Respect and Accountability

Adherence to this policy is the responsibility of all members of the University Community. It is expected that students, faculty, staff, University affiliates, contractors and visitors to campus will comply with this policy. Members of the University community are encouraged to respectfully inform others about the policy in an ongoing effort to enhance awareness and improve compliance with this policy.

Respect and accountability by the University Community to this policy will be primarily achieved through education, awareness and providing support to those who desire to stop using prohibited products. If someone is seen using these products on University property, an individual may inform the user of this policy and request that they comply. To report a violation of this policy click the “Report an Issue” button below.

Violators of this policy will be offered cessation resources. Repeated violations of the policy may be subject to appropriate disciplinary procedures.

Section 8. Exceptions to Policy

Prohibited product use may be permitted under the following circumstances:

• Sponsored research involving prohibited products that follow requirements for either human subject protection or environmental containment as appropriate, provided the University employee obtains the prior approval of the Office of Research and a waiver is requested and granted in accordance with sponsored research requirements, if any. Smoke, like any other laboratory air contaminant, shall be controlled. Designs for designated laboratories must be approved by the Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Department.
• Any Institutional Review Board (IRB) approved research that started prior to the date of policy adoption should not be subject to such requirements.

Section 9. Transition Period

Upon adoption, the policy will be announced 60 days prior to its implementation in order to give prohibited product users time to adapt to its restrictions and to facilitate a smooth transition to a tobacco free environment.

Questions and problems regarding this policy should be handled by online reporting through the website, the University of Missouri Tobacco Free Campus app, or via administrative channels and procedures. “Tobacco” or “tobacco product” means any tobacco, electronic nicotine devices (ENDS), and hookah including, but are not limited to, products containing any pharmacologically active amounts of synthetic or tobacco derived nicotine intended for human consumption by ways such as vaporization, inhalation, absorption, heat not burn, and any ancillary device for such products. This excludes any product that has been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for sale as a tobacco cessation product or for other therapeutic purposes.

Section 10. Resources

https://wellness.missouri.edu/services/smoking-cessation

The MU Tobacco Policy can also be found here.