Smoke-free campus environment

Contents

1. The purpose of the policy. 
2. Responsibilities of Academic and Administrative Officials.
3. No smoking areas.
4. Obligations of smoking individuals who are university staff.
5. Visitor and Contractor Obligations.
6. Support provided to smokers.
7. E-cigarettes. 
8. Follow-up and review. 
9. Policy violations. 
10. Definitions.

Click this link1.       The purpose of the policy

• Based on Qassim University's commitment to providing a safe educational and health environment for all members of its university community, in compliance with the provisions of the Anti-Smoking Law issued by Royal Decree No. (M/56) dated 07/28/1436 AH, 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 affiliates and visitors from the harms of smoking, direct and indirect.
• In commitment to the requirements of the anti-smoking system and its executive regulations, Qassim University adopts a comprehensive ban on smoking in all its facilities and properties, including workplaces, administrative offices, classrooms and lecture halls, laboratories, health facilities, student housing, and university vehicles.

In accordance 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 enforcement efforts previously launched to support this goal.

This policy applies to all individuals associated with the university, including but not limited to: students, faculty, staff, administrators, contractors, collaborators, volunteers, interns, temporary or agency workers, and temporary visitors. Everyone entering King Saud University facilities or using its vehicles must fully comply with the smoking prevention regulations outlined in this policy.

• This policy concerns the designation of times and places where smoking is permitted or prohibited, aiming to reduce the impact of smoking on the health of individuals and those around them on campus.
• This policy aims to achieve the following:
• Ensuring Qassim University's compliance with national anti-smoking laws and regulations.
• Protect all individuals on campus from the harms of direct and indirect smoking.
• Comprehensive application of the anti-smoking policy to all groups within the university without exception.
• Raise awareness among all university staff and visitors about their responsibilities and obligations as outlined in this policy.
• Providing necessary support for smokers to help them adapt to policy requirements, resolve any potential conflicts, and offer assistance for quitting smoking and choosing a healthy lifestyle.
• Enhancing the university's role as a role model for the local community, students, employers, and the workforce.
• Contributing to reducing smoking rates locally and spreading a smoke-free environment culture.
• Promoting a healthy and safe university environment and reducing exposure to secondhand smoke.

Click this link2.       Responsibilities of Academic and Administrative Officials

• Academic and administrative officials, along with direct supervisors, bear the responsibility for implementing this policy, in compliance with the Ministry of Health's anti-smoking program and in cooperation with the National Committee for Tobacco Control.
• Direct supervisors must ensure that all university personnel, including staff, students, collaborators, visitors, and all individuals on campus, are made aware of the content of the no-smoking policy and its stipulated obligations.
• Human Resources Management and other responsible parties, including direct supervisors, are committed to ensuring that employees and contractors are informed of the content of this policy and have its provisions explained to them during induction and orientation programs upon commencement of work.
• New employees are informed about the no-smoking policy and its regulations during the onboarding and orientation programs for new hires.
• All those who interact with students, especially new students, must ensure they are aware of the content of the no-smoking policy and its implementation mechanisms on campus.
• Direct supervisors must ensure that smoking employees and students are informed about relevant smoking cessation campaigns and services. Qassim University and its administration are committed to providing support and assistance to those wishing to quit smoking, and to promote opportunities for obtaining available external assistance.
• Direct supervisors should facilitate employees' access to external support when needed, in accordance with business requirements and their job responsibilities.
• Direct supervisors should avoid any confrontational approach when dealing with smoking-related issues. Support and encouragement should be provided to individuals who are struggling to comply with the policy. Disciplinary action should only be resorted to after all other support and resolution measures have been exhausted.
• Direct supervisors must inform smoking individuals of the following:

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

Click this link3.       No smoking areas

• Smoking is not permitted in any Qassim University facilities. These facilities include all indoor or semi-enclosed spaces such as lecture halls, laboratories, administrative offices, corridors, storage rooms, covered parking areas, student housing, and health facilities, in addition to outdoor areas within the campus and university vehicles owned, leased, or designated for official use.
• The ban includes all tobacco products in all their forms, including cigarettes, cigars, shisha, hookahs, and pipes, in addition to all electronic nicotine delivery systems such as e-cigarettes.
• Clear “No Smoking” signs, written in both Arabic and English, are posted throughout university facilities. Adhering to the instructions on these signs is a duty for everyone on campus.
• All users of university vehicles, whether drivers or passengers, must fully comply with the no-smoking policy while in the vehicle. All vehicles owned or leased by the university must also remain smoke-free at all times, with signage displayed inside to reaffirm this commitment.

Click this link4.       Obligations of smoking individuals who are university staff

• Smoking is permitted only during official breaks and/or outside of official study and work hours.
• Smoking is strictly prohibited throughout the university campus, both indoors and outdoors, and is only permitted outside university grounds.
• All individuals wearing the university's official uniform or any attire bearing its logo are advised to refrain from smoking when representing the university on any occasion or in public places, in order to avoid associating their personal behavior with the university's image.
• These rules also apply in emergencies, such as building evacuations during fire alarms or any similar circumstances.

Click this link5.       Visitor and Contractor Obligations

• 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 they must fully comply with the policy for the duration of their stay within the university.
• The provisions of this policy are incorporated as a binding contractual term in all agreements with contractors whose work requires entry into university facilities. Contractors shall provide a written acknowledgment of compliance, allowing the university to maintain a documented record demonstrating policy implementation.

Click this link6.       Support provided to smokers

• Qassim University acknowledges its responsibility in supporting individuals who smoke to help them adhere to this policy and provide access to smoking cessation services for those who wish to quit.
• In this regard, the College of Pharmacy launched the Mobile Anti-Tobacco Clinic, and the university is working to combat smoking by raising awareness of its harms, prevention methods, and encouraging quitting.

Click this link7.       E-cigarettes

• E-cigarettes are treated the same as other tobacco products covered by this policy, and the same restrictions and controls apply to them.
• Electronic cigarettes are only permitted during official breaks and/or outside of official study or work hours.
• Electronic cigarettes are prohibited for use within the university campus and all its facilities. Their use is only permitted outside the university boundaries.
• Electronic smoking devices are not permitted on university property or in university vehicles.
• Given that e-cigarettes resemble traditional cigarettes in appearance, employees and students are requested to refrain from using them when representing the university or while wearing a uniform, especially in public places.

Click this link8.       Follow-up and review

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

• Assessing the effectiveness of policy implementation on the ground.
• Ensure the policy text and information regarding smoking cessation services are updated.
  • All remarks or inquiries regarding this policy should be directed to the Human Resources Management Director or the authorized competent body at the university.

Click this link9.       Policy violations

• Any violation of the provisions of this policy constitutes misconduct subject to the disciplinary procedures adopted at Qassim University.
• The violation includes disposing of cigarette butts or smoking-related waste on campus outside of designated areas.
• Any violation of the provisions of this policy, particularly the smoking ban 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 Saudi Arabian anti-smoking system and its executive regulations. It may result in a financial penalty and/or referral for disciplinary action in accordance with applicable national regulations.

Click this link10.   Definitions

• Smoking: Refers to all operations related to materials or substances that can be smoked and/or inhaled in any form. Smoking, for the purposes of this policy, includes – but is not limited to – tobacco cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cigars, pipes, hookahs, and shishas.
• Non-smoking Refers to the complete smoking ban as described above.
• University Facilities: This includes all university buildings and facilities, campus grounds, and vehicles owned, leased, or used for official university purposes.
• University employees or staff This includes all individuals working at the university, whether permanent, temporary, or contract employees, as well as volunteers and third-party workers operating within the university's facilities.
• University Affiliates This refers to anyone associated with the university in any capacity or relationship, including employees (full-time or part-time), academics, students, researchers, officials, external contractors, and visitors. University policies also apply to anyone who can be visually identified as a representative of the university (e.g., those wearing official uniforms) even when off-campus, as long as they are representing the university.
• The local and broader community: This includes members of the general public who have no employment, academic, or contractual relationship with the university.
• Visitors They are all individuals who enter university facilities but do not work or study there, and therefore do not visit them regularly. This may include: family members of employees or students, participants in conferences or events, and members of the local community, including government officials and others.