January 1, 2010.

Smoking in buildings has long been prohibited. In 2005, DU modified the smoking policy to prohibit smoking within 25 feet of building entrances. The new Smoke Free policy addresses the public health concern of involuntary exposure to secondhand smoke on campus by prohibiting the use of smoke-producing products on University-owned and operated campus grounds.

The change is a result of recommendations from the University Tobacco Taskforce, which includes members from various departments and student groups on campus. A smoke free policy was proposed to reduce involuntary exposure to secondhand smoke on campus and to make DU a cleaner, safer and healthier campus. Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of death in this country, responsible for one in every five deaths.

The new policy goes into effect on January 1, 2010. Signs will be posted across the campus and more information is available here at http://www.du.edu/smokefree.

Yes. Over 260 universities and colleges have already adopted smoke-or tobacco-free policies. ¹

• Yes. When people choose to smoke outside or inside, they are negatively impact the health of all people around them.
• The Surgeon General's report specifies that tobacco use in any form, active or passive represents a significant health hazard to both smokers and non-smoker bystanders. ²
• Outdoor levels of secondhand smoke are equally as harmful as indoor levels. ³
• Even brief exposure to smoke as you're walking into a building can cause or exacerbate heart disease, asthma, allergies, and bronchitis (not to mention the smell of smoke on clothes).
• There is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke - secondhand smoke kills. ⁴
• Hurricane-force winds could not eliminate the risk of secondhand outside. ⁵
• One out of every two DU students report noticing secondhand smoke exposure on our campus.
• Secondhand smoke is a Class-A carcinogen, meaning it is a substance that has been proven to cause cancer. ⁶
• Secondhand smoke contains over 4,000 chemicals. ⁷
• Secondhand smoke contains at least 69 chemicals known to cause cancer. ⁸
• It contains at least 172 toxic substances, including three regulated outdoor air pollutants. ⁹
• 50,000 non-smokers die each year due to involuntary exposure to tobacco smoke in the U.S. alone, including: ¹⁰
  • 3,000 lung cancer deaths in non-smokers ¹¹
  • 69,000 cases of heart disease deaths in non-smokers ¹²
  • 25,000 new cases of asthma ¹³
  • Even occasional exposure can increase the incidence of coronary heart disease by 58%. ¹⁴

It is University Policy 3.20.050.

The policy prohibits the use of ALL smoke-producing products, including cigarettes, cigars, pipes and hookah.

This policy applies to all employees, students, visitors, contractors and external individuals or companies renting university-owned space on university owned and operated property campus grounds. In short, it applies to anyone who comes to campus.

The use of tobacco products will be permitted in select designated areas outside of the Ritchie Center and the Newman Performing Arts Center due to high traffic of visitors to these buildings for events. Officials at each respective venue are charged with oversight of the exempt areas of campus where tobacco use is permitted and each must adopt and post internal policies.

Otherwise, the policy applies to all University-owned and operated campus grounds. This includes but are not limited to all outdoor common and educational areas, all university buildings, fraternities and sororities, university-owned on-campus housing, campus sidewalks, campus parking lots, recreational areas, outdoor stadiums and university-owned and leased vehicles (regardless of location).

DU has no jurisdiction over the use of city owned streets, sidewalks and right-of-ways. However, please note that many streets and adjacent sidewalks on the campus are university property. Those interested in engaging in smoking-related activities should exercise care to engage in these activities on property that is not university owned and operated.

Yes, the policy applies to everyone at all DU owned and operated facilities, regardless of location.

The policy is the same no matter when or when the event is held. Smoking is prohibited in any outdoor venue on campus.

Parking garages owned or operated by the university are included within the policy. Garages and surface lots are high traffic areas for visitors, students and employees as people walk through these spaces to get to events, classrooms, offices, etc.

Smoking is prohibited on the DU campus and this includes parked and moving vehicles while on grounds owned or operated by the University of Denver.

Efforts will be made to ensure faculty, staff, students, and campus visitors are aware of the new policy. Individuals who knowingly violate the policy will be referred to the appropriate campus administrative unit for disciplinary action:

Administration/supervisors/employees have the responsibility to respectfully remind a smoker that smoking on campus is a violation of DU policy. There is no intent to put employees in confrontational situations.

• An observer may use Campus Safety's Anonymous Tip Line (303-871-3130) to notify DU about a non-compliant person if a simple reminder is not sufficient.
• Students may contact the Office of Student Life: healthpromotion@hcc.du.edu
• Faculty/Staff may contact Human Resources: http://www.du.edu/hr/contactus.html

Administration/supervisors/employees have the responsibility to respectfully remind a smoker that smoking on campus is a violation of DU policy. There is no intent to put employees in confrontational situations. Should an individual choose not to comply with the policy, the following processes/personnel will be called upon:

The Smoke-Free policy does not supersede Colorado State law which invokes legal action should the smoking violation occur within 15 feet of a building entrance.

Every DU employee and student has a responsibility to adhere to policy and to remind others of policies.

A respectful reminder may be sufficient. However, if an employee knowingly violates policy, then they will be subject to disciplinary action just like any other policy.

The police will come for violations of the law. State law prohibits smoking within 15 feet of the entrance of a building.

No. The Trustees of the University of Denver have the authority to govern the use of university property and regulate its use.
There is no constitutional "right" to smoke. ¹⁵ Smokers are not a category protected under the Equal Protection Clause of the Constitution. ¹⁶ Smoking is not a protected liberty right under the Due Process clause of the Constitution. ¹⁷

Common courtesy should prevail. We should strive to be good neighbors. Of course, property owners have the right to protect their property and request police action for trespassing.

There should be no increase in litter because the campus is smoke free. Facility Services will continue to clean DU's campus in the same manner they always have.

Yes. It is recommended that managers and supervisors inform all employees of this policy.

Signage will be placed at all entrances to campus. In addition to an aggressive marketing campaign, any department who has an event on campus that involves visitors should notify those visitors via the most efficient means possible of the smoke-free policy.

No. The university is not forcing you to quit smoking, but you cannot smoke on university property. If you are interested in quitting, a number of resources are available to help you quit, including:

• Contact Katie Dunker, Health & Counseling Center's Tobacco Treatment Specialist at 303-871-3763 or Katie.Dunker@hcc.du.edu
• Contact DU's Health & Counseling Center to learn about upcoming class schedules and to register: 303-871-2205
• Employee Assistance Program (Health & Counseling) - 303-871-2205, schedule a meeting with a licensed clinical psychologist
• 1.800.QUIT.NOW
• www.COQuitNet.com
• www.FixNixer.com
• www.BecomeAnEx.org

A variety of options are available, depending on your specific situation. Contact your primary care physician to discuss what is right for you or schedule an appointment with DU's tobacco treatment specialist to discuss your options.

Yes, you can use your FSA money to pay for counseling, nicotine gum not covered by insurance, or for co-pays on items that are partially covered by insurance (patches, nasal sprays, inhalers, drugs for smoking cessation, etc.). If you have questions about using your FSA, call Janna Dyer at Benefits & Incentives Group, at 303-750-6200 Ext. 706.