FHSU Tobacco Policy Task force hires consultant

The Tobacco Policy Task Force at Fort Hays State University has hired Ty Patterson, director of the National Center for Tobacco Policy, as a consultant in considering the university’s current tobacco policy.

Patterson visited campus last week on Monday and Tuesday to meet with FHSU students and staff to discuss the current policy and determine if changes need to be made.

“The task force was charged with looking at the current policy and recommend changes,” said Wendy Rohleder-Sook, Tobacco Policy Task Force Co-Chair, “Right now, we allow tobacco use in certain designated parking areas.”

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The task force received a $25,000 grant from the Kansas Health Foundation to hire Patterson to provide consultation and other services to assist FHSU move toward its goal of a tobacco free campus.

FHSU Tobacco Policy


POLICY TITLE:


Policy on Tobacco Usage


POLICY PURPOSE:


To establish the University’s policy on smoking and tobacco usage.


BACKGROUND:


Fort Hays State University (FHSU) recognizes the health and safety hazards

of tobacco products and therefore prohibits the use of tobacco products,

including electronic cigarettes and any other nicotine delivery device, except

for smoking cessation aids, within all University buildings, facilities and

vehicles owned by the University, as well as all other exterior spaces not

designated as a smoking area.


APPLIES TO:


Faculty, Staff, Students and Visitors


DEFINITIONS:


“Smoking Cessation Aids” means gums, patches, inhalers and other aids

designed to help tobacco users quit.


“Electronic Cigarettes” means a cigarette-shaped device containing a

nicotine-based liquid that is vaporized and inhaled, used to simulate the

experience of smoking tobacco.


“Tobacco Products” means cigars, cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, pipe

tobacco, and ‘roll-your-own tobacco’.


POLICY STATEMENT:


Smoking and the use of tobacco products, including electronic cigarettes and

any other nicotine delivery device, except for smoking cessation aids, are

prohibited in all Fort Hays State University buildings and facilities. Smoking

is only permitted on the FHSU campus proper, Sternberg Museum, Kansas

Wetlands Educational Center, and the University Farm, Pavilion and Rodeo

Grounds (collectively referred to as “FHSU’s campus”) in designated parking

lots. A map showing the parking lots that have been designated as smoking

areas is attached to and incorporated in this policy. Smoking is prohibited in

all other areas on FHSU’s campus that are not clearly marked as a

designated smoking area.


Complaints concerning violations of these regulations will be submitted to

the University Police Department (UPD). The UPD shall have the authority

to warn, issue a citation including a fine and/or remove flagrant violators of

this policy or any rude or insolent person who is in violation of this policy

from campus, pursuant to the provisions regarding Campus Bans and

Trespassing in the Fort Hays State University Use of Campus Facilities

policy. After a warning the first offense will carry a fine of $10, the second

offense $25, and all future offenses $50. Additionally, if such person is a

student, the matter will be referred to the Division of Student Affairs for 2

handling in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct. If such person is

an employee, the matter will be referred to the employee’s supervisor and, in

the case of University Support Staff, the Human Resources Office. Each

violation of this policy by an employee will be considered a disciplinary event

with consequences determined by the number of events. By this policy, the

entire university community is encouraged to communicate this policy, and

the location of the designated smoking areas, to all other university

community members and visitors. All contractors working on campus should

be informed of this policy through communication prior to work beginning

and if possible in the written documentation authorizing the work.


Exceptions to this policy must be submitted in writing to the appropriate vice

president and be approved by the president of the University.


In support of this policy, the Wellness Center and the Student Health Center

offer free office visits for smoking cessation and free smoking cessation

medication while supplies and funding last. This policy will become effective

move in day August 13, 2014.


The provisions of K.S.A. 21-4009 through K.S.A. 21-4014 and amendments

thereto are fully incorporated herein and will be enforced pursuant to the

provisions of those statutes.


Other:


The provisions of K.S.A. 21-4009 through K.S.A. 21-4014 and

amendments thereto are fully incorporated herein and will be enforced

pursuant to the provisions of those statutes.


KEYWORDS:


Tobacco, Tobacco Products, Electronic Cigarettes, Smoking, Smoking

Cessation


RESPONSIBLE OFFICE:

Vice President for Administration and Finance


RESPONSIBLE UNIVERSITY OFFICIAL:

Vice President for Administration and Finance


ORIGINATION DATE:


3/5/08


REVIEW CYCLE:


3 Years


LAST APPROVED ON:

Revisions Adopted by President’s Cabinet 5/7/2014


REVIEW/CHANGE HISTORY:

Adopted by President’s Cabinet 3/5/2008

Revisions Adopted by President’s Cabinet 9/1/2010

Revisions Adopted by President’s Cabinet 1/4/2012

Revisions Adopted by President’s Cabinet 5/7/2014


NEXT REVIEW DATE:

5/2017


“[Patterson] is a great resource,” Rohleder-Shook said, “If we do make a change then he will be able to help us implement it. It’s one thing to have a policy, but it’s another to implement it.”

The Task force is still in the process of gathering information before making its recommendation.

“We may decide to make it less restrictive, we may decide to keep it the same, or we may decide to make it more restrictive,” Rohleder-Shook said, “Our job is to collect the information and recommend changes. We need to look at a lot of information before we recommend anything.”

Members of the task force will attend a Forum on Tobacco Policy on Oct. 28. The committee has asked that anyone with any thoughts or opinions on the current policy contact the committee members to provide feedback on the current policy.

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