September 15, 2003

Revised smoking policy is in effect

Signs of the University’s new smoking policy can be seen around doorways and ash cans this month. The chalked perimeters and movement of ash cans away from buildings and breezeways demonstrate the implementation of the revised campus smoking policy.

The policy, which was adopted in May and went before the Board of Trustees in July, commits the campus to work on an educational campaign to advise faculty, staff and students of the effects of smoking and secondhand smoke.

This summer, the CSUS Foundation board acted to discontinue the sale of tobacco products on campus and divested it investments in companies that produce tobacco products.

The new revision augments the CSU Executive Order from 1993 which prohibits smoking in all buildings and leased spaces throughout the system. The revisions for this campus include:

• The smoking prohibition now applies to any enclosed area including restrooms, storage space, atriums, balconies, stairwells, ramps and other similar building features are now considered “within a building.”
• The prohibition now includes not only state passenger vehicles, but all other state-owned mobile equipment, including light- and heavy-duty trucks, vans, buses and any other mobile equipment with an enclosed or enclosable driver or passenger compartment.
• Smoking is now prohibited within 20 feet of all doorways and buildings.
• Smoking is prohibited within the Hornet Stadium.
• Smoking is prohibited on major walkways throughout campus.
• Specific outside areas for smoking will not be established.

Students Taking Action Against Nicotine Dependence, STAND, has been working with the campus office of health education and facilities management to implement the policy. Its members have chalked the 20-foot boundaries around all major doorways as a reminder. The group will also be involved in an effort to educate the campus community about the changes.

For further information contact Cyndra Krogen, Health Education Assistant at 278-6026.

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