Overview
The decision to go smoke-free aligns with Queen’s University’s focus on fostering a culture of wellbeing for all who live, learn and work at and visit the university. In January 2019, Queen’s University formally adopted the Okanagan Charter: An International Charter for Health-Promoting Universities and Colleges. Through the Charter, the university has pledged “to create and apply wellness-related policies and programs with demonstrated impact.” Creating a smoke-free campus is an important step in meeting that commitment as the health impacts associated with smoking and second hand smoke are well documented.
For purposes of the policy, the word “smoking” includes the following:
To inhale, exhale, burn, carry, or possess lighted tobacco, cannabis or other herbal products, including cigarettes, electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), cigars, cigarillos, pipe tobacco, hookahs or other products capable of being smoked, or to burn, vaporize or atomize any products for inhalation including tobacco or illegal substances.
The policy applies to all community members, which includes, but is not limited to Queen’s employees, students, volunteers, visiting professors, contractors, visitors, and other individuals who live, work, study or carry out services on university property.
A smoke-free campus policy will not restrict an individual’s choice to smoke, but will prohibit the smoking (including vaping) of cannabis and tobacco products on Queen’s University Property.
This initiative is consistent with our goals of supporting good health and wellness.
Where is smoking prohibited?
View Queen's University's main campus smoke-free boundaries (PDF, 630 KB).
View Queen's University's West Campus smoke-free boundaries (PDF, 329 KB).
If you require the smoke-free boundaries maps in an alternate format, please contact us.
Smoking, vaping and the use of tobacco products is prohibited on all university properties. Maps displaying the university’s main and West Campus boundaries are available below.
University properties outside the areas shown on the maps are also subject to this policy. These include but are not limited to the Queen’s University Biological Station (including the Elbow Lake Environmental Educational Centre), the An Clachan apartment buildings, Kennedy Field Station, 136 Grant Timmins Drive (Reactor Materials Testing Laboratory, Waste Transfer Station and Centre for Advanced Gas Combustion Technology), and the Queen’s Family Health Team Clinics.
Community members smoking in areas surrounding the university are expected to maintain a positive relationship with our neighbours and respect adjacent properties. Leaving campus to smoke does not give anyone permission to litter, loiter or trespass on private or public property. Property owners have the right to enforce their boundaries.
Those smoking on public property are expected to respect municipal by-laws (PDF, 168 KB) and provincial smoking legislation.
View Queen's University's main campus smoke-free boundaries (PDF, 630 KB).
View Queen's University's West Campus smoke-free boundaries (PDF, 329 KB).
If you require the smoke-free boundaries maps in an alternate format, please contact us.
Since smoking and tobacco products are not allowed anywhere on university property, making available ashtrays, butt receptacles, or other collection mechanisms sends the wrong message. Receptacles for butts implies smoking or tobacco use is permitted in a particular location. This would be inconsistent with our policy. Rather, the goal is to promote compliance with the policy through signage and cessation resources and supports. We are intentionally seeking to avoid encouraging or enabling smoking and the use of tobacco products.
As of June 1, 2019, all smoking, including vaping will be prohibited on Queen’s University property; the prohibition includes inside or outside vehicles while parked on university property.
View Queen's University's main campus smoke-free boundaries (PDF, 630 KB).
View Queen's University's West Campus smoke-free boundaries (PDF, 329 KB).
All events occurring on Queen’s University property are subject to the Smoke-Free University Policy. This includes, but is not limited to, athletic events, concerts, theatre, exhibitions, meetings, conferences, weddings, etc.
All students and employees are required to abide by applicable laws, policies and guidelines, including the Fitness for Work Guideline for employees, and the Student Code of Conduct. Employees are expected to report to the workplace able to perform assigned duties safely and to an acceptable standard, without limitation caused by the use of or after-effects of an Impairing Substance(s).
Queen’s prioritizes safety for all members of the community and has a variety of measures to keep the campus safe. Nicotine medications such as the patch, gum, lozenges or nasal spray can be used to manage nicotine needs without leaving campus. Anyone leaving campus is encouraged to take steps to be safe. More information on campus safety can be found within Campus Security and Emergency Services pages.
Yes, the university considered outdoor smoking areas during the consultation process when developing the Policy. Designated smoking areas do not align with our commitment to promote a healthy and safe environment for all. Allowing any smoking on campus, including in designated areas, would expose students, visitors, and employees to second-hand smoke. Research shows that designated smoking areas can also compromise quit attempts since seeing others smoking can be a trigger for those who may be trying to reduce or quit tobacco products.
Enforcement
The university will focus on educating members of the community about the policy and the risks of smoke and second-hand smoke, and will be providing information on where to go for support for those who wish to stop smoking through smoking-cessation programs.
Enforcement measures will depend on the individual’s relationship with the university, the nature of the infraction, and the place in which it occurred.
All community members are subject to the requirements of this Policy while on university property. The main focus of enforcement will be on voluntary compliance through education, signage, and awareness.
Individuals who do not comply with this policy may be subject to actions, discipline or sanctions under applicable university policies and procedures. This may include ejection/suspension from venues, non-academic misconduct sanctions under the Student Code of Conduct, employment disciplinary measures, and in severe cases, termination of a person’s relationship with the university, subject to the processes set out in university policies, procedures and applicable collective agreements.
Individuals may also be subject to civil, administrative or criminal action for violations of relevant laws, including municipal by-laws, independent of any university action.
All community members are encouraged to educate themselves on this policy and to communicate the policy to other community members. The best initial approach is a direct, courteous reminder to the person and a request to refrain from smoking on campus. If there is a persistent problem, or you are uncomfortable approaching the situation, you can contact Campus Security and Emergency Services at 613-533-6733.
We will post and maintain appropriate signage throughout University Property. The type and location of the signs shall comply with legislative mandates and align with this policy. Requests for additional signage will be considered and addressed as appropriate.
Plans are in place to remove the cigarette butt boxes from campus.
Campus Security and Emergency Services will monitor compliance, respond to reports of non‐compliance, and advise smokers of the non‐smoking provisions in effect.
Accommodation
The duty to accommodate extends to individuals with a need to use medical cannabis.
Smoking Medical Cannabis prescribed by a healthcare practitioner is only permitted pursuant to an accommodation plan:
- An employee accommodation plan would be entered into in accordance with the Accommodations of Disabilities in the Workplace Policy
- A student accommodation plan would be entered into pursuant to a valid academic accommodation plan approved by Student Wellness Services, or pursuant to an authorization provided by a health care practitioner under the Cannabis Act