Policy

The CWRU Tobacco-Free Policy

Title: The CWRU Tobacco-Free Policy

Approved by: Office of the President 

Date approved by President or Board of Trustees: July 1, 2017 

Effective date: July 1, 2017

Responsible Official: Medical Director 

Responsible University Office: Office of Human Resources - Wellness

Revision History: None 

Related Legislation and University policies: None 

Review Period: 5 Years 

Date of Last Review: January 31, 2024

Relates to: All persons on CWRU property, regardless of their purpose for being there (e.g., staff, faculty, students, patients, visitors, contractors, subcontractors, etc.).
 

Definitions

For purposes of this policy, the terms set forth below shall have the following meaning:

  • “Tobacco” refers to any product containing tobacco in any form. Tobacco products include, but are not limited to, cigarettes (clove, bidis, kreteks), electronic cigarettes (ecigarettes), cigars and cigarillos, pipes, all forms of smokeless tobacco, and any other smoking devices that use tobacco such as hookahs, and any other existing or future smoking, tobacco or tobacco-related products.

  • “CWRU Property” refers to all interior space owned, rented or leased by CWRU and all outside property or grounds owned or leased by CWRU, including parking areas and private vehicles while they are on CWRU property and CWRU vehicles. 

Policy Content

CWRU prohibits the use of tobacco products at all times on campus property.

The university is committed to providing support to the entire population who wishes to stop using tobacco products.  Staff, faculty and students should refer to www.case.edu/tobaccofree if they need assistance with tobacco cessation.

The success of this policy requires a collaborative effort of the entire CWRU community. Staff, faculty, and students on campus will engage in positive and respectful communication and interactions in regards to this policy.  Concerns will be addressed in a respectful and thoughtful manner.

The sale, advertising, sampling and distribution of tobacco products and tobacco related merchandise is prohibited on all CWRU property. 

Use of university funds for purchase of tobacco or tobacco-related products is prohibited, unless such use is permitted under the exception stated below. 

Tobacco use may be permitted for authorized research with prior approval of the Provost’s Office, and in the case of smoking, the review and recommendation of the University Department of Environmental Health & Safety.

Why is This Important?

The university has accepted the opinion of the Surgeon General that smoking is the largest preventable cause of illness and premature death. Because the university has substantial commitments to health-related research and teaching, it has a parallel commitment to protect the health of students, employees and guests and to be in compliance with the State of Ohio smoking ban set out in Chapter 3794 of the Ohio Revised Code. To foster a healthy culture and environment, the university is a tobacco-free campus.

Policies at Other Colleges and Universities

As of January 1, 2024  there are at least 2,613 100% smokefree campus sites. Of these, 2,192 are 100% tobacco free, 2,284 prohibit e-cigarette use, 1,247 prohibit hookah use, 594 prohibit smoking/vaping marijuana, and 645 explicitly apply all tobacco protections to personal vehicles on campus.