The university has accepted the Surgeon General’s opinion that smoking is the largest preventable cause of illness and premature death. Because the university has substantial commitments to health-related research and teaching, it has a parallel commitment to protect the health environment of students, employees and guests and to be in compliance with the State of Ohio smoking ban set out in Chapter 3794 of the Ohio Revised Code.
Therefore, the university does not permit smoking or use of e-cigarettes in any of its buildings or structures, including in residence halls and university vehicles.
In addition, all outside walkways and grounds of university property are smoke-free, except for specific university-designated smoking areas. The School of Medicine, School of Dental Medicine, Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, the health sciences podium and the health sciences garage are entirely smoke-free and do not have any university-designated smoking areas.
All university faculty, staff and student employees share the responsibility for maintaining a healthy work environment. All employees are encouraged to notify any person violating this policy to discontinue smoking immediately. If an individual does not immediately discontinue smoking, any employee should report the incident to University Police and Safety Services or Employee Relations. University Police and Security Services will issue citations to any employee or visitor found in violation of this policy.
The State Department of Health also provides a number for reporting complaints at 1.866.559.6446.
All supervisors are responsible for the enforcement of this policy and for reporting offenders to their supervisor, Employee Relations, or University Police. Employees who violate this policy will be subject to corrective action in accordance with the Positive Corrective Action Policy (III-3). Violators will also be issued a University Police citation and may be subject to repayment of fines issued to the university by the State as provided in Ohio Revised Code 3794.
If an employee needs assistance with a smoking cessation program, the employee should contact the Wellness Program directly. No employee or individual is permitted to retaliate against any employee or individual for reporting violations of this policy.