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Health and Wellbeing Procedure - Smoke Free

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Section 1 - Background and Purpose

(1) The University is committed to a healthy University environment that is smoke free. Smoking is therefore not permitted on campus grounds.

(2) The health and wellbeing of our staff and students is integral in our approach to University life. Providing and maintaining a healthy environment for work and study that encourages participation in wellbeing initiatives enables our Policy of health and wellbeing. 

(3) It is in this context, that the University is a smoke free environment.

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Section 2 - Scope

(4) Refer to the Health and Wellbeing Policy.

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Section 3 - Policy Statement

(5) Refer to the Health and Wellbeing Policy.

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Section 4 - Procedures

Responsibilities 

(6) All staff, students, contractors and visitors to the University are asked to observe the smoke free zone requirements.

(7) Security staff will oversee the grounds and buildings of each campus to ensure these environments remain smoke free. Authorised officers will provide friendly enforcement if and where this becomes necessary. 

Smoke Free Zones

(8) Smoke free zones extend across all buildings, grounds and include the University Fleet vehicles. 

(9) The campus general carparks are outside the smoke free zones.

Designated Smoking Areas (Hubs)

(10) In recognition that the University grounds are expansive, a small number of designated smoking areas (hubs) are available. These areas are identified on campus maps and available on the University internet site – Smoke Free La Trobe

(11) The hubs are located away from campus buildings and walkways. The purpose of the hubs is to enable access to a discrete area and:

  1. Ensure smoke and vapour dissipates away from others
  2. Butts are collected in containers
  3. The area is safe for day/night/all-weather use

Smoking and Related Products

(12) The University disallows the sale and use of all smoking and related products across our campuses. This includes e-cigarettes and their inclusion is consistent with the Victorian statutory requirements.

Enforcement

(13) The University community is widely supportive of our smoke free environment, nevertheless enforcement provisions will at times be necessary to respond to occasional resistance.

(14) In circumstances where individuals are smoking within the smoke free zones, the following steps will apply.

(15) In the first instance:

  1. The smoker will be asked to cease smoking immediately, and 
    1. The smoker will be required to provide identification.
    2. Authorised officers may issue a written warning. 

(16) In further instances, where failure to comply occurs:

  1. Authorised officers may issue a penalty notice 
    1. The smoker will be required to provide identification 
    2. This penalty notice is derived from the University Grounds Statute 2009 and the fine is set at 50% of one penalty unit

(17) If the fine is not paid:

  1. The student may not, without the written consent of the Vice Chancellor or Executive Director (Infrastructure & Operations), graduate until such time the fine is paid.
  2. A request for written consent must be made to Infrastructure & Operations via email.
  3. Normal collection processes will apply for staff members, visitors and contractors, including court action where necessary.

Further Information

(18) Further information about smoking and the resources that are available to quit are listed on the University internet site – Smoke Free La Trobe.