Smoke Free Campus Policy
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| Purpose | To articulate the principles that underpin Macquarie University’s commitment to be a smoke-free campus. |
The University is committed to creating the healthiest campus in Australia by 2015. The move towards a Non-Smoking Campus is a clear demonstration of Macquarie University’s desire to be the healthiest campus in Australia. The University recognises that staff and students have a personal choice to smoke, however, the University also recognises that there is an equal right for staff and students who do not smoke to work and study in an environment that is not polluted by environmental tobacco smoke. Environmental tobacco smoke poses a significant health risk with overwhelming evidence demonstrating that passive smoking (the inhalation of residual smoke) increases the risk of developing lung cancer, as well as acting as a trigger for other serious medical conditions. Macquarie University has a duty of care under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (NSW) 2000 and the Smoke-free Environment Act (NSW) 2000 to provide and maintain a safe working environment and to protect the health of staff and students from illness or injury arising from smoking in the workplace. The designation of a non-smoking campus is consistent with Australian and NSW Government policy on smoking in educational facilities. It will assist the University to meet its commitments made under the Healthiest Campus by 2015 program and the Sustainability Indicator Framework. |
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| This policy applies to all staff, students, visitors and contractors. It covers all Macquarie University campuses, including the North Ryde campus (including all SIBT space), the Sydney City campus; all Macquarie University controlled buildings; and all Macquarie University vehicles (including boats). | |
Macquarie University does not provide smoking breaks. Staff, contractors etc choosing to smoke will need to take this time as part of their meal break allowance. STAGE 1 The non-smoking zone will cover all land bounded by the following roads – Macquarie Drive, Balaclava Road; Gymnasium Road (west of the Sports and Aquatic Center), Research Park Drive (east). This includes all open and enclosed areas. Refer to the map. Smoking is prohibited anywhere on the grounds, or in the buildings, of:
Smoking is prohibited in all Macquarie University vehicles, including boats. Smoking while on field trips, research activities etc, while not encouraged, must not occur within five metres of a work, meal or living environment. STAGE 2 In 2015, a final review of this policy will be held with a view to removing all smoking zones from all campuses of Macquarie University and for the University to become a smoke-free campus. |
Policy Information
| Contact Officer | Manager, Staff Health |
|---|---|
| Date Approved | 9 August 2010 |
| Approval Authority | Director, Human Resources |
| Date of Commencement | 1 January 2011 |
| Amendment Dates | February 2011 – updated map referenced August 2010 – Alignment with University Policy Framework |
| Date for Next Review | June 2012 |
| Related Policies, Procedures, Guidelines, Forms or Templates | Occupational Health and Safety Act (NSW) 2000 Smoke-free Environment Act (NSW) 2000 Sustainability Strategy |
| Policies / Rules Superseded by This Policy | Smoke Free Working Environment 9.01 (OHS) |
| Keywords | Smoke, Free, Environment, Campus, Tobacco, Non-Smoking |
| OHS Policy No | OHS: 34 |