Policy

As of April 2018, 2,164 colleges and universities in the United States have adopted 100% smoke-free policies.  Of these, 1,805 are 100% tobacco-free.  A growing number of these schools are also adopting or amending policies to prohibit the use of e-cigarettes.

In California, 85 public colleges and universities are 100% smoke or tobacco-free.  Of these, 73 campuses are 100% smoke/tobacco-free including e-cigarettes.

As more colleges adopt smoke/tobacco-free policies, we are able to learn how they positively impact the health and well-being of the campus community and environment.  

2021 Report Card and Policy Database

Policy Adoption Tools and Resources

Passing a smoke/tobacco-free policy on campus can go smoothly or it can be a daunting task.  Much of this depends on the political climate of the campus as well as support and guidance from the campus administration.
 

Policy Implementation Tools and Resources

Campuses typically take six months to one year to plan and prepare their campus for the implementation of a new smoke or tobacco free policy.  A campus might announce their intentions to go smoke or tobacco free and then actually launch the new policy in the Fall of the next year.

Policy Enforcement Tools and Resources

Campuses take two broad approaches to enforcement: educational approaches and punitive approaches.  Campuses typically spend the first year of a new policy focusing on educational approaches and then use punitive approaches (citations and fines) as needed after that.

Campus Examples

Adoption

• CSUN Survey
• Policy Attitude Survey
• SJSU Smoking Policy Survey
• UCR Campus Survey for Tobacco
• TFCCI Tobacco Free Campus Student Toolkit
• The Center Midwest Academy Strategy Chart
• The Center Circles of Influence

Implementation

• UC Davis, "I'm Leaving Soon" Ash Can Sign
• UC Riverside Smoke Tobacco-Free Policy Implementation Plan
• UC Davis Bus Ad
• University of California Sample Communications
• University of California Systemwide Information Postcard
• UC Riverside Sample Offer Letter with Tobacco Policy
• UC Davis, Results from "Identifying Hot Spots" Outreach Event

• UC Davis, Opportunities for Action Flyer

Enforcement

• University of California Systemwide Suggested Scripts
• University of California Systemwide Supervisor Enforcement Talking Points
• Foothill-DeAnza Enforcement Procedures