University to phase in on-campus smoking ban
July 25, 2011
Memorial University is on track to ban smoking on all of its campuses by 2013. Memorial is committed to providing a safe, smoke-free environment for its students, faculty and staff.
As a result of several public consultations this past spring and an approval of the university’s new smoking policy by the Board of Regents July 7, smoking will no longer be permitted in the doorways of any campus buildings as of Aug. 1, 2011.
The smoking ban applies to all property currently occupied by Memorial. The ban will be phased in over time on the St. John’s and Grenfell campuses, and designated smoking areas have been identified for these campuses. There are no longer designated smoking areas at the Marine Institute.
“During the public consultations earlier this spring, all the participants agreed smoking should be moved away from doorways,” said Sheila Miller, director, Department of Health and Safety. “The main reason being cited was the need to lessen the exposure to non-smokers of second- hand smoke.”
Restricting smoking to designated areas will help make Memorial University’s campuses healthier places to live, study and work. The new smoking locations have been chosen primarily due to their proximity to student residences and on-campus apartments.
As of Aug. 1, 2011, notices will be posted identifying that smoking will be permitted only in the designated areas; these areas will be identified with signage. Smoking signs and ashtray receptacles will be removed from the current designated smoking areas. Memorial University encourages its community to respect the revised smoking policy and the rights of others to a healthy and smoke-free environment.
Memorial’s revised smoking policy and a map indicating designated smoking areas on the university’s campus can be found here.
Smoking cessation assistance can be found through Memorial’s wellness programs.
The consultative phase regarding the revision of Memorial’s smoking policy was open March 2-30, 2011, although feedback was accepted until April 14, 2011. Public consultations took place on Wednesday, March 9, 2011, at Grenfell Campus, Thursday, March 10, 2011, on the St. John’s campus and March 23, 2011, at the Marine Institute.
As a result of several public consultations this past spring and an approval of the university’s new smoking policy by the Board of Regents July 7, smoking will no longer be permitted in the doorways of any campus buildings as of Aug. 1, 2011.
The smoking ban applies to all property currently occupied by Memorial. The ban will be phased in over time on the St. John’s and Grenfell campuses, and designated smoking areas have been identified for these campuses. There are no longer designated smoking areas at the Marine Institute.
“During the public consultations earlier this spring, all the participants agreed smoking should be moved away from doorways,” said Sheila Miller, director, Department of Health and Safety. “The main reason being cited was the need to lessen the exposure to non-smokers of second- hand smoke.”
Restricting smoking to designated areas will help make Memorial University’s campuses healthier places to live, study and work. The new smoking locations have been chosen primarily due to their proximity to student residences and on-campus apartments.
As of Aug. 1, 2011, notices will be posted identifying that smoking will be permitted only in the designated areas; these areas will be identified with signage. Smoking signs and ashtray receptacles will be removed from the current designated smoking areas. Memorial University encourages its community to respect the revised smoking policy and the rights of others to a healthy and smoke-free environment.
Memorial’s revised smoking policy and a map indicating designated smoking areas on the university’s campus can be found here.
Smoking cessation assistance can be found through Memorial’s wellness programs.
The consultative phase regarding the revision of Memorial’s smoking policy was open March 2-30, 2011, although feedback was accepted until April 14, 2011. Public consultations took place on Wednesday, March 9, 2011, at Grenfell Campus, Thursday, March 10, 2011, on the St. John’s campus and March 23, 2011, at the Marine Institute.