Policy Number: III-5
Last Reviewed: April 16, 2019
Responsible Dept.: Human Resources
Office to contact for clarifications: Human Resources
A signed copy of this policy is available in the President’s Office.
Purpose:
Under the Code of Virginia, Title 15.2, Chapter 28, “Virginia Clean Indoor Air Act”, Virginia Western Community College establishes a policy to regulate and control smoking of tobacco products within its facilities. This policy is specifically authorized under Code of Virginia 15.2-2800 and 15.2-2801, which sets forth statewide regulation of smoking.
Policy:
Smoking is prohibited within all buildings owned or leased by the college, and within vehicles owned or operated by Virginia Western Community College. This provision shall include any and all off-campus facilities utilized by Virginia Western, except for the facilities of any business, industry or other organization where the college may offer specific programs at its site.
The Department of Facilities Management shall post signs conspicuous to public viewing that state “No Smoking” or “This is a Smoke-Free Facility” throughout each building owned or leased by the college.
Reasonable smoking areas shall be identified around the exterior of facilities that shall be equipped with urns, ashtrays and trash receptacles. Designated smoking areas may change from time to time as determined by college management. At least one entrance to each building shall be smoke-free, with any smoking area at such entrance being no closer than 20 feet from the entrance.
It is expected that all members of the college community and visitors to the college’s facilities will comply with the smoke-free environment within the buildings. Where individuals are found to be smoking inside a building, any member of the college community may inform the individual about the smoke-free environment and request that the individual refrain. Should the individual continue smoking in violation of this policy, the Campus Police are empowered under Section 15.2-2801 of the Code of Virginia, to issue a summons for violation of state law, which carries a maximum $25 fine.
College employees are expected to set examples of compliance with this policy. When an employee violates this policy, supervisors should address the issue with the employee to seek compliance, document instances of violations and warnings, and where behavior constitutes continued noncompliance, disciplinary action may be effected through appropriate policies. Disciplinary actions that may be effected can be grieved under normal grievance procedures.
Additional Information:
References
Code of Virginia, Title 15.2, Chapter 28
DHRM Policy 1.60 Standards of Conduct
VCCS Policy Manual, Section 3
Academic and Student Affairs Policy I-56: Electronic Cigarette/Smokeless Tobacco
