Smoking & Tobacco Use Policy

Smoking and the use of tobacco products on Reinhardt College’s campus is limited to “Designated Smoking/Tobacco-Use Areas.” Smoking and the use of tobacco products is prohibited in all of the College's academic and administrative buildings, College vehicles, athletic and recreational facilities, the student life center, and all residence hall floors and wings (including apartments).

Summary/Purpose:

Reinhardt College promotes a safe, clean and healthy environment on all its property and prohibits smoking inside and at all designated smoke-free entranceways to College facilities. The College's smoking and tobacco use policy is designed to foster the health and safety of all students and employees in the conduct of College activities.

Right to a smoke-free environment:

Though smoking and tobacco-use are rights, students, faculty and staff at Reinhardt College have the right to live and work in a smoke-free environment for health as well as safety concerns. Therefore, smoking and tobacco use is prohibited in all of the College’s academic and administrative buildings, College vehicles, athletic and recreational facilities, the student life center, and all residence halls (including apartments).

Designated Smoking/Tobacco Use Areas:

Smoking and the use of tobacco products on Reinhardt College’s campus is limited to “Designated Smoking/Tobacco Use Areas.” Faculty, staff and students who wish to smoke or use tobacco products may do so outside of campus buildings at the designated smoking areas where proper ash receptacles exist. Smokers must properly dispose of cigarette/cigar remains in designated receptacles. These areas are identified with appropriate signage and by the placement of cigarette butt receptacles (“receptacles”). Based on patterns of usage, designated tobacco-use areas are subject to being relocated over time. If a receptacle is not present in an area, then the area is no longer designated for tobacco use. If a receptacle is added to an area, then tobacco use is acceptable adjacent to the receptacle.

Restricted Areas:

Smoking is prohibited inside and near the designated smoke-free entrances to all College buildings.

College/State Vehicles:

Smoking is prohibited in all College motorized vehicles.

Monitoring the College’s Smoking & Tobacco Use Policy:

The Smoking & Tobacco Use Policy will be enforced under existing guidelines for infractions of College policies, rules and procedures pertaining to students and employees. College employees who violate the Smoking & Tobacco Use Policy are subject to employee discipline. Students who violate the Smoking & Tobacco Use Policy may be charged through the Student Discipline Code of Conduct. Visitors should be politely reminded that tobacco use is limited to designated areas. Any College employees and students also may take the initiative to inform individuals of the outdoor policy and ask for their compliance. Residence Life will implement, monitor and enforce all aspects of this policy for the residential buildings and areas. Public Safety will advise individuals who are not in compliance with the College’s smoking and tobacco use policy of the designated smoking and tobacco use areas. Any violations related to the smoking and tobacco use policy should be reported immediately to the Office of Student Affairs when students are involved and to Human Resources or the appropriate supervisor when employees are involved.

Violations of the Smoking & Tobacco Use Policy:

Failure to use tobacco products in designated areas will result in a violation of the Code of Conduct. The first violation of this policy will result in a Level I violation and each continuous offense will move up to the next level. This policy includes use of tobacco within the residence halls and apartments. The following actions are considered violations of the Smoking & Tobacco Use Policy:

The use of tobacco products in areas other than those designated for tobacco use.
Any littering of tobacco-related products, including cigarette butts, tobacco packaging materials, and “spit cups.”
Tampering or damaging receptacles, or moving receptacles from one location to another. (Individuals may request that a receptacle be added or relocated by sending a request, in writing, to the Physical Plant)
The use of any tobacco product in a College-owned vehicle. (Individuals using tobacco products in their personal vehicles will not be considered in violation of the policy.)
The use of tobacco products at athletics events in any area other than those designated for tobacco use.