Smoking Policy

Policy

The University is committed to ensuring that its students, staff, contractors and visitors are not exposed to tobacco smoke in its workplaces including its building and vehicles. In the interest of having a healthy workforce, staff who smoke are provided with assistance to quit smoking. Accordingly, managers and supervisors shall promote and ensure compliance with the Smoking Policy. All staff, students, contractors and visitors shall abide by the provisions of the policy and report all breaches in accordance with the relevant section herein.

Smoking is prohibited in:-

i. All University controlled buildings

ii. Major thoroughfares and pathways

iii. Within five metres of access points to buildings such as doors, windows, near air-conditioning vents and ducts and 'no smoking' signs.

iii. Substantially enclosed courtyards. e.g. Social Sciences and Arts building courtyards

iv. All University vehicles and boats

v. Other areas designated as no smoking areas by signage

vi. All of the QE II Medical Centre site, including Oral Health Centre of WA carparks and grounds

The underpinning principle being that non-smokers shall, as far as is practicable, not be subjected to smoke inhalation.

Objective

The Smoking Policy enables the University to:

a) Safeguard the safety and health of staff, students, contractors and visitors in accordance with the University’s Occupational Safety and Health Policy;

b) Abide by legislative requirements such as the WA Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984, and Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996 (Regulation 3.44); and Health (Smoking in Enclosed Public Places) Regulations 1999

c) Reduce the risk of fire;

d) Reduce litter on campus and maintain an attractive environment for all staff, students, contractors and visitors to enjoy and be proud of.

Standards and Guidelines

Definitions

Designated smoking areas - means an area of a workplace designated under regulation 3.44F (1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Regulations WA 1996 to be an area in which persons may smoke.

Enclosed workplace - means a workplace that has, whether permanently or temporarily

(a) a ceiling or roof; and

(b) wall, sides or other vertical coverings,

so that when the workplaces existing closable openings are closed, the workplace is completely or substantially enclosed.

Major thoroughfare (for the purposes of this procedure only) - means any primary access way or walkway.

University building - means a building owned by or under the control of the University by virtue of a lease or rental agreement and includes points of entry, windows, bridges, stairways and air conditioning vents and ducts.

University property - means any property owned by or under the control of the University whether by freehold title or by lease or rental agreement and includes any portions of such property.

Vehicle - means a motor vehicle, plane or boating vessel owned or leased by the University and used for University purposes.

Visitor - means any person who is not a staff or student on University grounds including volunteers and persons using university facilities.

Assistance to Quit Smoking

Assistance to quit smoking is available from

• The University Medical Centre through supply of Heart Foundation ‘Quit’ kits
• Robyn Winkler Clinic: http://www.psychology.uwa.edu.au/robin_winkler_clinic
• The Robin Winkler Clinic is a clinical psychology unit linked to the School of Psychology http://www.psychology.uwa.edu.au/ at the University of Western Australia.
• Quit Line - Telephone 13 18 48 http://www.quitnow.info.au/

Breaches of the Smoking Policy

All staff, students, contractors and visitors shall have the right to report breaches through the University’s Hazard Identification reporting system.

Managers and supervisors at all levels are encouraged to advise offenders of the University Smoking Policy and request that they only smoke in areas where smoking is not prohibited. Managers and supervisors may also, at their discretion, inform offenders of assistance to quit smoking programmes.

Managers and supervisors at all levels shall report repeated breaches of the policy to their Deans (or equivalent) who shall manage such breaches in accordance with the relevant University disciplinary procedures and applicable University by-laws.

Staff, students, contractors and visitors persisting in smoking in prohibited areas despite the intervention of Faculty or Administrative area warnings shall be formally reported to the Director, Human Resources or Registrar as appropriate.

There are provisions under the Occupational Safety and Health Regulations WA 1996 for penalties of up to $5,000 for persons smoking in an enclosed workplace.

Responsibilities

Related Information:
The University of Western Australia Lands By-Laws
Part 5—Conduct of Persons on the Lands