• Section 1 - Purpose and Scope
• Exemptions
• Context
• Section 2 - Principles and Key Requirements
• UQ is committed to ensuring the health, safety and wellbeing of UQ workers and others while on UQ campuses and sites
• UQ engagement with tobacco and tobacco related organisations
• Sale of tobacco, e-cigarettes or similar devices on UQ campuses and sites
• Failure to comply with the Smoke-Free UQ Policy
• Smoking cessation support
• Section 3 - Roles, Responsibilities and Accountabilities
• Supervisors and Managers
• UQ Wellness Program
• Contractor managers
• UQ workers and others
• Event organisers
• Section 4 - Monitoring, Review and Assurance
• Section 5 - Recording and Reporting
• Section 6 - Appendix
• Definitions

Section 1 - Purpose and Scope

(1) The University of Queensland (UQ) is committed to protecting the health, safety and wellbeing of its workers students and visitors.

(2) In accordance with the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Qld) and relevant public health legislation, this Policy establishes requirements to maintain a smoke free and vape-free environment and to eliminate or minimise exposure to secondhand smoke and vapour so far as reasonably practicable.

(3) The Policy applies to:

1. all UQ Workers, students contractors, visitors and volunteers;
2. all UQ property, campuses, sites, buildings, and vehicles owned, controlled or leased by UQ, except where a specific exception has been granted;
3. all commercial tenancies operating on UQ premises; and
4. all UQ-related activities including field work, events and travel where others may be exposed.

Exemptions

(4) UQ student residential colleges will continue to be regulated by the respective colleges’ smoking policies. This specifically refers to the ten residential colleges situated on the St Lucia campus (2021) - Cromwell College, Duchesne College, Emmanuel College, Grace College, International House, King’s College, St John’s College, St Leo’s College, The Women’s College and Union College.

(5) The Red Room situated on St Lucia Campus, and the Lawes Club situated on Gatton Campus, are both managed by the University of Queensland Union (UQU). These establishments respectively hold a commercial special facilities licence and a community club licence, under the Liquor Act 1992. Facilities with these licence types are eligible to provide a Designated Outdoor Smoking Area (DOSA) under the Tobacco and Other Smoking Products Act 1998 (Tobacco Act). These facilities must comply with the requirements for a DOSA under the Tobacco Act, including the placement of signage stating that consumption of food in this area is not permitted.

(6) Other exemptions may only be granted in exceptional circumstances by the Director, Health, Safety and Wellness, and must not conflict with legislative requirements or expose others to unacceptable health risks.

Context

(7) This Policy aligns with the Queensland Government approach to reducing smoking and vaping in public places, including higher education settings.

(8) It also reflects UQ’s obligation to provide a safe environment by preventing exposure to tobacco smoke and e-cigarette aerosol.

Section 2 - Principles and Key Requirements

UQ is committed to ensuring the health, safety and wellbeing of UQ workers and others while on UQ campuses and sites

(9) UQ has adopted the following principles, except where an exemption applies:

1. All persons on UQ campuses and sites are entitled to a smoke-free environment.
2. Smoking and vaping are prohibited at all times:
   1. on UQ campuses and sites;
   2. in UQ vehicles; and
   3. during UQ activities, including fieldwork, where others may be exposed.
      
      This prohibition applies regardless of whether vaping products contain nicotine or are lawfully prescribed.
3. Queensland legislation prohibits smoking and vaping in specified areas including within 5 metres of building entrances windows and air intakes, need children's play equipment and at public transport waiting points. UQ enforces a strict a smoke-free environment across its campuses and sites.
4. This Policy reflects evidence-based public health practise and UQ’s commitment to protecting health and wellbeing.
5. UQ supports individuals to quit smoking and vaping by promoting access to evidence-based cessation services.
6. All prospective UQ workers and students will be informed of this Policy, an ongoing communication and signage will support awareness
7. UQ recognises that nicotine dependence is a health issue and will manage this Policy in a way that supports wellbeing and minimises psychosocial risks including stigma and inequity.

UQ engagement with tobacco and tobacco related organisations

(10) UQ does not accept funding from the tobacco or nicotine (including e-cigarette or vaping product) industries for any purpose, including for:

1. research;
2. learning and teaching;
3. advancement and endowments;
4. gifts and awards; and
5. sponsorship.

(11) Refer to the Administration of Research Funding - Applications, Grants and Contract Research Policy.

Sale of tobacco, e-cigarettes or similar devices on UQ campuses and sites

(12) The sale of tobacco products, e-cigarettes, vaping devices and related products is prohibited across UQ campuses and sites.

(13) The exception to above clause 12, is where UQ is a party to a legally enforceable agreement pre-dating this Policy, permitting a third party to sell cigarettes and tobacco products from specified locations on UQ's campuses or sites.

Failure to comply with the Smoke-Free UQ Policy

(14) UQ adopts a graduated supportive approach to managing non-compliance with this policy prioritising education and engagement. Security staff undertake regular patrols of each UQ campus. Where an individual is observed smoking or vaping they will be respectfully advised to the policy requirements and ask to cease. Repeated or deliberate non-compliance may result in further action in accordance with relevant University policies, including the Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy, Staff Code of Conduct Policy, and Contractor Environmental & Occupational Health & Safety (EOHS) Handbook.

Smoking cessation support

(15) UQ encourages and supports individuals to reduce or cease smoking and vaping and promotes the use of evidence-based cessation supports. The following organisations and services may be contacted:

1. UQ Health Care
2. Cancer Council Queensland
3. Quit.org.au
4. My QuitBuddy mobile application
5. Quitline (13QUIT; 13 78 48).

Section 3 - Roles, Responsibilities and Accountabilities

Heads of Organisational Units

(16) Heads of Organisational Units are responsible for ensuring that staff and students in their unit are aware of this Policy.

Supervisors and Managers

(17) Supervisors and managers are responsible for addressing non-compliance with this Policy and providing information and guidance to relevant parties.

Manager, UQ Security

(18) The Manager, UQ Security is responsible for ensuring all security staff are aware of this Policy and the process to be followed in the event of people smoking on a UQ campus or site.

Director of Health, Safety and Wellness Division

(19) The Director of the HSW Division is responsible for providing guidance to the UQ community on smoking on UQ campuses and sites, consistent with UQ’s commitment to provide a safe, supportive and healthy working and study environment. Further information is available on the Smoke-free UQ website.

UQ Wellness Program

(20) The UQ Wellness Program is responsible for ensuring the smoke-free UQ messaging is consistent, timely, and included in all relevant material.

Contractor managers

(21) Contractor managers are responsible for:

1. advising contractors and sub-contractors of this Policy through the induction process and monitoring compliance with this Policy;
2. providing assurance that all contractor documentation includes the requirement of UQ campuses and sites being smoke-free; and
3. implementing appropriate actions to promote compliance (online contractor induction training will provide contractors with information on the Policy).

UQ workers and others

(22) UQ workers and others are responsible for contributing to a supportive culture and maintaining a smoke-free environment at UQ.

Event organisers

(23) Where events are organised on UQ campuses and sites, event organisers must ensure that people coming onto UQ campuses and sites are informed of requirements of this Policy.

Section 4 - Monitoring, Review and Assurance

(24) Monitoring and review activities will be undertaken through consultation between the HSW Division, UQ Security, the UQ HSW network, and HSW committees, which will:

1. assess compliance with the Policy and demonstrate/confirm its effectiveness; and
2. identify, assess and promptly address any deficiencies with relevant stakeholders.

Section 5 - Recording and Reporting

(25) Recording and reporting activities will be undertaken through consultation between the HSW Division, UQ Security, the UQ HSW network, and HSW committees, which will ensure that:

1. activities and outcomes arising from adoption of this Policy are accurately recorded; and
2. any non-compliance issues and/or adverse incidents (i.e. conflict which has escalated as a result of Policy implementation) are recorded and reported to the Director, HSW Division, in a timely manner.

Section 6 - Appendix

Definitions