Boston University Smoking Policy

Introduction
The City of Boston Public Health Commission issued regulations that prohibit smoking in the workplace.

The regulations cover all offices, work spaces, common work areas, auditoriums, classrooms, conference and meeting rooms, elevators, hallways, medical facilities, cafeterias, employee lounges, staircases, restrooms and all other enclosed areas in the workplace. Exceptions to the regulations include private residences and hotel rooms that are designated as smoking rooms. In addition, smoking is allowed if it is a part of a theatrical performance or religious ritual. Certain other exemptions apply to establishments engaged in the sale of tobacco products such as retail tobacco stores and smoking bars.

In accordance with the Workplace Smoking Restrictions Regulation issued by the City of Boston Public Health Commission, it is the responsibility of all employers to provide a smoke-free environment for all employees working in an enclosed workplace. The purpose of this policy is to comply with this regulation and to provide reasonable protection to the health of employees and others from the effects of tobacco smoke in the workplace.

Policy
Smoking is prohibited in all Boston University facilities and enclosed workplace areas. This includes all offices, work spaces, common work areas, auditoriums, classrooms, conference and meeting rooms, elevators, hallways, medical facilities, cafeterias, employee lounges, staircases, parking garages, restrooms and all other enclosed areas in the workplace. Exempted from this policy are private residences and certain student rooms (see next section). This policy applies to all employees, students, clients, consultants, vendors, contractors, guests, and visitors.

Anyone who violates this policy is subject to disciplinary action. Disputes which involve smoking in the workplace should be addressed to the employee's immediate supervisor. Disputes involving students should be addressed to the Office of the Vice President and Dean of Students or the Residence Hall or Area Director if it involves a housing matter.

Student Housing
The University has designated the following buildings as smoke free for the 2003/04 academic year. Smoking will be prohibited in all common areas and student rooms:

• Sleeper Hall, 275 Babcock Street
• Rich Hall, 277 Babcock Street
• Fairfield Tower, 700 Commonwealth Avenue
• Marshall Tower, 700 Commonwealth Avenue
• The Towers (East Tower), 140 Bay State Road

In all other on-campus Boston University residences, the University will continue to allow smoking of cigars, cigarettes, and pipes (tobacco) only in student rooms. There will be no smoking in hallways, stairwells, elevators, bathrooms, lounges, and common areas on sleeping floors. Moreover, in the event that a conflict about smoking in a student room cannot be resolved by the roommates, the University reserves the right to designate the room(s) as a nonsmoking area. Also, the University reserves the right to designate a room as a nonsmoking area if smoke from that room bothers students in neighboring rooms in the residence.
At the conclusion of the first semester of the 2003/04 academic year, the University will evaluate the housing component of this policy with the goal of prohibiting smoking in all of the large and small dormitory-style residences for the 2004/05 academic year. Smoking will continue to be allowed in Boston University on-campus apartments as long as roommates or students in neighboring apartments are not bothered by the smoke.

Smoking Cessation
All employees and students are encouraged to quit smoking. Information concerning smoking cessation programs are available through the American Cancer Society and through the University's Occupational Health Center.

Questions concerning this policy may be directed to the Office of Human Resources at 617/353-2380 or the Office of Housing at 617/353-3511 on the Charles River Campus and the Office of Human Resources at 617/638-4610 on the Medical Campus.

The Workplace Smoking Restrictions Regulation issued by the City of Boston may be obtained at the Boston Public Health Commission web site.