Smoke-free campus environment

Contents

1. Purpose of the policy. 
2. Responsibilities of academic and administrative officials.
3. Where smoking is prohibited.
4. Obligations of individual smokers who are university affiliates.
5. Obligations of visitors and contractors.
6. Support for smokers.
7. Electronic cigarettes. 
8. Follow-up and review. 
9. Policy violations. 
10. Definitions.

1.       Purpose of the policy

• Based on the commitment of Qassim University to provide a safe educational and health environment for all members of its university community, and in compliance with the provisions of the Anti-Smoking Law issued by Royal Decree No. (M/56) dated 28/07/1436H, and in line with the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, the university adopts this policy to ensure that the campus is a smoke-free environment, and to protect the health of its employees and visitors from the harms of direct and indirect smoking.
• In compliance with the requirements of the Anti-Smoking Law and its implementing regulations, Qassim University adopts a comprehensive smoking ban in all its facilities and properties, including workplaces, administrative offices, classrooms, auditoriums, laboratories, health facilities, student housing, and university vehicles.

In line with the Ministry of Health's anti-smoking program and in cooperation with the National Committee for Tobacco Control, the university affirms the right of all individuals on campus to enjoy a smoke-free environment, and is committed to continuing its awareness and implementation efforts that it has already launched to support this goal.

This policy applies to all individuals associated with the University, including but not limited to: Students, faculty, staff, employees, administrators, contractors, collaborators, volunteers, volunteers, interns, temporary or agency workers, and temporary visitors. Anyone entering Qassim University facilities or using Qassim University vehicles must fully comply with the no-smoking regulations contained in this policy.

• This policy defines the times and places where smoking is allowed or prohibited, and aims to minimize the impact of smoking on the health of individuals and the health of those around them on campus.
• This policy aims to:
• Ensure Qassim University's compliance with national anti-smoking laws and regulations.
• Protect all individuals on campus from the harms of direct and indirect smoking.
• Apply the no-smoking policy comprehensively to all groups within the university without exception.
• Raising the awareness of all university employees and visitors of their responsibilities and obligations contained in this policy.
• Provide the necessary support to smokers to help them adapt to the policy requirements, resolve any potential conflicts, and provide support to quit smoking and choose a healthy lifestyle.
• Promote the role of the university as a role model for the local community, students, employers, and the workforce.
• Contribute to reducing smoking rates locally and spreading the culture of a smoke-free environment.
• Promote a healthy and safe campus environment and minimize exposure to secondhand smoke.

2.       Responsibilities of academic and administrative officials

• Academic and administrative officials and direct supervisors are responsible for implementing this policy, in compliance with the Ministry of Health's anti-smoking program and in cooperation with the National Tobacco Control Committee.
• Direct supervisors must ensure that all university affiliates, including employees, students, collaborators, visitors, and all individuals on campus, are made aware of the content of the No Smoking Policy and the obligations contained therein.
• The Human Resources Department and other responsible parties, including direct supervisors, are obligated to ensure that employees and contractors are informed of the content of this policy and that its provisions are explained to them as part of their induction and orientation programs upon commencement of employment.
• New employees are introduced to the no-smoking policy and its regulations are explained to them as part of the training and qualification programs dedicated to the onboarding phase.
• All those who come into contact with students, especially new students, must ensure that they are aware of the content of the no-smoking policy and the mechanisms for its implementation on campus.
• Direct supervisors should ensure that staff and student smokers are made aware of relevant smoking cessation campaigns and services. Qassim University and its administration are committed to providing support for those wishing to quit smoking, and promoting opportunities for help available off-campus.
• Line supervisors should facilitate employees' access to external support when needed, consistent with their work requirements and job responsibilities.
• Line supervisors should avoid any confrontational approach when dealing with smoking-related issues. Individuals who have difficulty adhering to the policy should be offered support and encouragement. Disciplinary action will only be resorted to after all other supports and solutions have been exhausted.
• Line supervisors are required to inform individual smokers of the following:

• They are not obligated to quit smoking if they don't want to, but are only allowed to smoke outside university facilities.
• Smoking is strictly prohibited throughout the campus, both indoors and outdoors.
• Violation of this policy while on campus may result in appropriate measures being taken against them in accordance with the applicable regulations.
• University employees and students are required to refrain from smoking while wearing uniforms or any clothing bearing the university logo, especially in public places or when officially representing the university.

3.       Where smoking is prohibited

• Smoking is not permitted in any Qassim University facilities. These facilities include all enclosed or semi-enclosed spaces such as classrooms, laboratories, administrative offices, corridors, warehouses, covered parking lots, student housing, and health facilities, in addition to outdoor courtyards on campus and university vehicles that are owned, leased, or designated for official use.
• The ban includes all tobacco products in all forms, including cigarettes, cigars, shisha, hookah, and pipes, as well as all electronic nicotine delivery devices such as e-cigarettes.
• "No Smoking" signs in both Arabic and English are clearly posted in the university facilities, and all individuals on campus are obligated to abide by the instructions contained therein.
• All users of university vehicles, whether drivers or passengers, must be fully committed to not smoking while in the vehicle. All vehicles owned or leased by the university must remain smoke-free at all times, and signs must be placed inside them emphasizing this commitment.

4.       Obligations of individual smokers who are university affiliates

• Individuals who smoke are only allowed to smoke during official breaks and/or outside of official school and work hours.
• Smoking is strictly prohibited throughout the campus, both indoors and outdoors, and is only allowed outside the university boundaries.
• All those who wear the university's uniform or any clothing bearing the university's logo are advised to refrain from smoking when representing the university at any event or public place, to avoid associating their personal behavior with the university's image.
• These rules also apply in emergency situations such as the evacuation of buildings during fire alarms or any similar circumstance.

5.       Obligations of visitors and contractors

• All visitors and contractors are made aware of the university's smoke-free environment policy through bilingual signage at all university entrances and throughout the campus, and must adhere to the policy throughout their time at the university.
• The provisions of this policy shall be included as a binding contractual clause in all contracts with contractors whose work requires access to university facilities. Contractors are required to provide a written declaration of compliance, allowing the University to maintain a documented record of the policy.

6.       Support for smokers

• Qassim University recognizes its responsibility to support individuals who smoke to help them adhere to this policy, and to provide access to smoking cessation services for those who wish to do so.
• In this context, the College of Pharmacy has launched a mobile tobacco control clinic, and the university is working to combat smoking by raising awareness of its harms and ways to prevent it and encourage smoking cessation.

7.       Electronic cigarettes

• E-cigarettes are treated the same as other smoking products covered by this policy and are subject to the same restrictions and controls.
• The use of e-cigarettes is only allowed during official breaks and/or outside of official school or work hours.
• The use of e-cigarettes is prohibited on campus in all its facilities, and their use is only allowed outside the university boundaries.
• Electronic smoking devices are not allowed to be charged inside any of the university's facilities or vehicles.
• Because e-cigarettes are similar in appearance to traditional cigarettes, staff and students are asked to refrain from using them when representing the university or while wearing a uniform, especially in public.

8.       Follow-up and review

• This policy is reviewed annually in June by the Human Resources Department and committee members to ensure that it continues to meet its objectives and is relevant to the needs of the university. The review process includes the following:

• Evaluate the effectiveness of policy implementation on the ground.
• Ensure that the policy text and information about smoking cessation services is up to date.
  • All comments or inquiries related to this policy should be directed to the Director of the Human Resources Department or the authorized competent authority at the university.

9.       Policy violations

• Any violation of the provisions of this policy constitutes a behavioral offense subject to the disciplinary procedures adopted by Qassim University.
• The violation includes disposing of cigarette butts or smoking-related debris on campus in non-designated areas.
• Any violation of the provisions of this policy, especially the prohibition of smoking on campus, is a violation of university regulations and is subject to the disciplinary procedures approved by Qassim University.
• Smoking in university facilities or vehicles is a clear violation of the anti-smoking system in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its implementing regulations, and may result in a financial fine and/or referral for legal accountability in accordance with the applicable national regulations.

10.   Definitions

• Smoking: Refers to all processes related to substances or materials that can be smoked and/or inhaled in any form. Smoking in this policy includes, but is not limited to, tobacco-containing cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cigars, pipes, shisha, and hookah.
• Smoke-free: Refers to the complete ban on smoking as described above.
• University facilities: It includes all university buildings, facilities, campus grounds, and vehicles owned, leased, or used for official university purposes.
• Employees or university affiliates: It includes all individuals working at the university, whether permanent, temporary or contracted, as well as volunteers and third-party workers who work within the university's facilities.
• Affiliates: They are anyone associated with the university in any capacity or relationship, including employees (full-time or part-time), academics, students, researchers, administrators, external contractors and visitors. The University's policies also apply to anyone who is visually recognizable as a representative of the University (e.g. those in uniform) even when off campus as long as they are representing the University.
• Local and wider community: Includes members of the general community who have no employment, academic, or contractual relationship with the university.
• Visitors: They are all individuals who have access to university facilities but do not work or study at the university, and therefore do not attend on a regular basis. This may include: Family members of staff or students, participants in conferences or events, members of the local community including government officials and others.