With six weeks before the University is scheduled to become a smoke-free campus, Health Promotion and Wellness Services released more information about the upcoming smoking policy Monday, July 15.
The University's smoke-free policy will go into effect Wednesday, Aug. 21, prohibiting smoking tobacco products on all campus grounds with the exception of private vehicles.
"Smoking is permitted in privately-owned vehicles (windows up) parked within the perimeter of campus," the policy reads.
The policy will prohibit electronic cigarettes, which are generally regarded as a safer alternative to smoking for both smokers and those around them.
When the policy goes into effect, smoking in Auburn facilities will only be allowed for "controlled research, educational, theatrical, or religious ceremonial purposes" after receiving written approval from a dean, director or department head.
The policy will apply to all students, faculty, staff and any visitors on campus.
According to the policy's procedures, individuals who are in violation of the policy will be asked to discard their tobacco product. Repeat student violators will be directed to the Office of Student Conduct, and staff members will be under the Auburn University Personnel Policies & Procedures Manual's references to smoking, which will be updated in the near future.
According to the new Smoke-Free Auburn University webpage, Auburn will become one of 1,160 other colleges since 2003 that have become smoke-free campuses. In the SEC, the Universities of Arkansas, Florida, Kentucky, Missouri and Mississippi have smoke-free campuses.
For more information about the new policy, visit Auburn.edu/SmokeFree.
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