Tobacco-free Campus Policy

Effective January 1, 2017, smoking and the use of tobacco products is prohibited on all property owned, leased or operated by Rockhurst University. This includes all indoor and outdoor campus spaces including, but not limited to, campus buildings, grounds, exterior open spaces, parking lots, on-campus sidewalks, streets, driveways, athletic facilities, practice facilities, residence halls/housing, recreational spaces and in all university-owned or operated vehicles. Products approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the uses of mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease are permitted under this policy.

This policy applies to all individuals on the Rockhurst University campus, including students, faculty, staff, parents, and visitors, including vendors contractors and service providers.

Definitions

Smoking is defined as the burning of tobacco and any other material in any type of smoking equipment, such as:

  • Cigarettes
  • Cigars
  • Cigarillos
  • Mini-cigars
  • Hookahs
  • E-cigarette devices
  • Electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS)

Tobacco products are defined as any and all forms of tobacco and smokeless tobacco, including but not limited to:

  • Cigarettes
  • Cigars
  • Cigarillos
  • Mini-cigars
  • Hookahs
  • Spit tobacco
  • Snuff
  • Dipping tobacco
  • Pouches
  • Dissolvable tobacco
  • Tobacco waters
  • Tobacco pastes and other smokeless products

Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved cessation aids are defined as nicotine-containing products for nicotine cessation therapy, such as gums, patches, lozenges, etc.

Compliance

All members of the Rockhurst community are required to comply with this policy, which shall remain in effect at all times. Members who do not comply will be addressed, reminded of the importance of compliance and referred to the informational materials available regarding how to comply with this policy and to cessation materials. Members of the community who refuse to comply with this policy may be subject to corrective action through the applicable process.

  • Faculty and staff members in violation are subject to corrective action as administered by human resources.
  • Students in violation are subject to corrective action through the appropriate student conduct process as administered by student development.
  • Visitors, including all vendors, contractors and any service providers, will be subject to whatever remedies are available to the university and administered by the campus security department or other appropriate office, including grounds for removal from campus.

In accordance with the applicable law and Rockhurst University policy, an individual can voice objections to potential violations by respectfully informing tobacco users of this policy without fear of retaliation.