Effective September 1, 2011, BSU has a tobacco-free policy for all faculty, staff, students, visitors, customers, vendors, consultants, contractors and their employees.

Policy Statement

Bridgewater State University prohibits smoking and tobacco use on all University property. University property includes, but is not limited to, University owned and leased buildings and facilities; University owned and leased vehicles; parking lots, building entrances, and common areas. The University will fully implement this policy and all applicable laws, regulations, and local ordinances.

Bridgewater State University reserves the right to initiate disciplinary procedures, up to and including termination for employees or expulsion for students, against any individual found to be in continuous violation of this policy.

Rationale for Policy

There is considerable evidence that concentrations of smoke are harmful to non-smokers, as well as smokers. Findings of the Surgeon General indicate that tobacco use in any form, active and passive, is a significant health hazard. Bridgewater State University has a responsibility to its employees and students to provide a safe and healthy environment. In its commitment to this, the University will be a tobacco-free campus effective September 1, 2011.

The Tobacco-Free Policy is intended to eliminate exposure to second-hand smoke, provide an environment supportive of tobacco-free lifestyles, eliminate the risk of accidental fire, eliminate the health risks associated with expectoration from smokeless tobacco, and eliminate the environmental impact of cigarette litter. It applies to all faculty, staff, students, visitors, customers, vendors, consultants, contractors and their employees.

Responsibility for Implementation & Enforcement

The Office of Human Resources will work collaboratively with the appropriate offices within the Student Affairs division, the University's Health & Safety Officer, established Health & Safety Committees on campus, and the University's Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provider to coordinate University efforts for policy notification, education, promotion, support, and assessment to ensure successful implementation.

All campus constituents have a collective responsibility to promote the safety and health of the campus community and, therefore, share in the responsibility of policy compliance. Individuals, observed using tobacco in any form, are to be reminded in a professional and courteous manner of the University policy.