Smoke Free Campus

Effective Fall 2013, Oakland University is smoke-free. Administrative Policy #475 outlines the policy that prohibits smoking on all University owned or operated campuses. Oakland University is now among 22 Michigan colleges and universities that have enacted smoke-free policies. Seventeen of these incorporate 100 percent tobacco-free guidelines.

Non-Smoking Campus FAQ

1. Why is OU doing this? The change to Policy 475 has been made for a single, important and overriding reason – to protect the health of all members of the university community, as well as visitors to campus. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, laws that ban smoking in public places improve air quality, decrease air pollution and improve the health of workers who might otherwise be exposed to an increased risk of contracting heart disease, lung cancer and other ailments.
2. When does the policy become effective? Policy 475 has already been adopted. In an effort to provide smoking cessation resources and educate the campus community, however the smoking ban on campus will be effective with the start of fall 2013 classes.
3. Who is subject to the smoking ban? All university faculty, students, staff, contractors, vendors and visitors are subject.
4. Are there any areas on campus reserved for smokers? The only exempt areas are Meadow Brook Hall and the Oakland University golf courses – both of which are free to designate smoking areas outdoors – as well as the private residences in the Meadow Brook Subdivision.
5. Can I smoke in my car? Smoking is banned on all university grounds. Smoking is banned completely in university-owned vehicles.
6. Smoking is my individual right. How is a ban on campus not a violation of that right? We all have rights that are limited in some ways, and the university reserves its right to enact policies that protect and serve the best interests of the campus community as a whole. Oakland University is not alone in this effort. In fact, 22 Michigan colleges and universities have enacted smoke-free policies, and 17 of these incorporate 100 percent tobacco-free guidelines.
7. What will happen if I am found smoking on campus? Violation of Policy 475 will be treated in the same manner as a violation of any other university policy. Disciplinary action the university may take is spelled out in the Student Code of Conduct and in employee handbooks and contracts.
8. What should I do if I witness someone violating the smoking ban? In a cordial, non-confrontational way, please inform the person smoking that they are in violation of university policy and should refrain from doing so. Known students who repeatedly violate the policy can be reported to the Dean of Students, and known employees repeatedly violating the policy can be reported to their supervisors. Please do not report smokers to the Oakland University Police Department.
9. Will the university provide any support to individuals who wish to comply with university policy, but are struggling to overcome a smoking habit? The university offers a number of free or low-cost programs designed to promote better health within the campus community, including smoking cessation programs. To learn more, visit Graham Health Center’s website. In addition, some health care benefit programs provide smoking cessation services.
10. Where can I learn more about Policy 475? A complete copy of the policy is available here: Administrative Policy #475
11. Where can I learn more about the hazardous effects of smoking and of secondhand smoke? A wide variety of resources are available online. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website offers a comprehensive start to learning more.

Additional Resources

• Posters available by emailing safety@oakland.edu
  • OU Clean Air Poster - 11x 17 (.pdf requires adobe acrobat)
  • OU Clean Air Poster - 8 x 10 (.pdf  requires adobe acrobat)
• Preventing Tobacco Use Among Youth and Young Adults:  Report of the Surgeon General, 2012