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Important Updates to Our Tobacco-Free Policy

An Air of Respect

July 17, 2017

To all Faculty and Staff,

With the summer season upon us and the accompanying increase in outdoor traffic and campus events, it is important to remind the SBU community that we are a 100% tobacco-free campus.

We’re proud of the successes we have seen since becoming a tobacco-free institution but recognize that some may still be struggling with their tobacco-use while on campus. As a reminder, the use of the following items are prohibited:

  • Cigarettes
  • Electronic cigarettes
  • Cigars/cigarillos
  • Hookah-smoke products
  • Oral and smokeless tobacco products

As we take the next steps in our tobacco-free campaign, “Air of Respect” cards will be distributed to those who are not following the policy. This card serves as a reminder of the policy. Noncompliance, as with all policies, should be handled by the supervisor in the case of employees or referred to the appropriate administrative office. (Labor Relations for employees; Community Standards for students)

The University Police Department (UPD) has offered support and increased their presence ​around popular smoking areas in an effort ​to assist with education and enforcement. Nonetheless, the entire Stony Brook community can help to promote the policy and shift our campus culture by taking the following steps:

  1. Reach out to Healthier U to request your Air of Respect cards.
  2. Politely remind the tobacco-user that Stony Brook is a tobacco-free community.
  3. If the person smoking appears to be a student: Hand the person a card and ask to see their SBU ID and/or their name. If they do not provide their name, tell them they are in violation of another University policy and contact UPD. E-mail the Community Standards Office details of the encounter.
  4. If the person smoking appears to be an employee: Hand the person a card. If a problem persists, contact the person's supervisor (if known), Labor Relations, or UPD.

If you are not comfortable addressing and/or reporting those who fail to comply with the tobacco-free policy, you may wish to advise the person that resources are available from Student Health Service (students) and Healthier U (employees).

Our tobacco-free policy helps foster respect for others, promote health and wellness, and assists us in keeping our campus environment clean and free from the harmful effects of tobacco products.

For more information on the policy, available resources and steps we’re taking to create a tobacco-free campus, please visit: http://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/tobaccofree/

Sincerely,

Bryan Weiss
Director, Healthier U