Middle Georgia State University's Tobacco Free Campus Policy

In alignment with USG policy 9.1.7 as of October 1, 2014, Middle Georgia State University prohibits the use of tobacco products on any property owned, leased, or controlled by MGA. All faculty, staff, students, visitors, vendors, contractors, and all others are prohibited from using any tobacco products i.e. cigarettes, cigars, smokeless tobacco, snuff, pipes, electronic cigarettes, hookahs, or other similar products while on MGA property.

The implementation of this policy is a shared responsibility, which means all students, faculty, and staff share in the responsibility to help keep the campus tobacco-free. Violation of this policy may result in corrective action under the Student Code of Conduct or campus human resource policies. Persons refusing to comply may be asked to leave campus.

The University System of Georgia's Tobacco and Smoke-Free Campus Policy 9.1.7

http://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section9/C503/

In accordance with the Georgia Smoke Free Air Act of 2005, Title 31 Chapter 12A, this policy reinforces the USG commitment to provide a safe and amicable workplace for all employees.

The goal of the policy is to preserve and improve the health, comfort and environment of students, employees and any persons occupying our campuses.

The use of all forms of tobacco products on property owned, leased, rented, in the possession of, or in any way used by the USG or its affiliates is expressly prohibited. “Tobacco Products” is defined as cigarettes, cigars, pipes, all forms of smokeless tobacco, clove cigarettes and any other smoking devices that use tobacco such as hookahs or simulate the use of tobacco such as electronic cigarettes.

Further, this policy prohibits any advertising, sale, or free sampling of tobacco products on USG properties unless specifically stated for research purposes. This prohibition includes but is not limited to all areas indoors and outdoors, buildings and parking lots owned, leased, rented or otherwise used by the USG or its affiliates. The use of tobacco products is prohibited in all vehicles – private or public vehicles - located on USG properties.

This policy applies to all persons who enter the areas described above, including but not limited to students, faculty, staff, contractors and subcontractors, spectators, and visitors. All events hosted by a USG entity shall be tobacco-free. All events hosted by outside groups on behalf of the USG shall also be tobacco-free.

Exceptions for Tobacco Use

The President of each institution will define any exceptions to this policy. Exceptions to the policy will be very limited and on an as needed basis. The intent is the campus is tobacco and smoke free unless otherwise needed for educational purposes and/or the advancement of research on campus.

Enforcement

The overall enforcement and authority of this policy lies with the President of the institution, but it is also a shared community responsibility, which means all students, faculty, and staff share in the responsibility to help keep the campus tobacco-free. Signage to help inform our campus community and visitors will be placed throughout campus.

Violation of Policy

Violation of this policy may result in corrective action under the Student Code of Conduct or campus human resource policies. Visitors refusing to comply may be asked to leave campus.

Resources Available for Tobacco Cessation

From time to time, the Board of Regents will make available resources to assist employees with tobacco cessation as well as educational materials and other wellness information. Such effort does not limit the amount of resources that the institution can provide for tobacco cessation and any other resources for the positive enforcement of this policy that the campus deems appropriate to provide. Resources for Tobacco Cessation can be found on the USG Workplace Wellness website at https://usg.edu/well-being.