Smoking Policy and Designated Smoking Areas (DSA)

Smoking is restricted to designated smoking areas (DSA). [1]

Hampshire College has become smoke free with the exception of Designated Smoking Areas (DSAs) located outside our residences and the Red Barn. Smoking includes e-cigarettes, vaping, and any other smoke or vapor-producing products. This means that smoking will be permitted in Designated Smoking Areas (DSAs) only. [2]

Pursuant to the federally mandated Drug Free Schools and Communities Act, use and posession of drugs, which presently includes marijuana is not permitted on college campuses and is not permitted to be used on-campus.

What does smoke free mean?
It means the restriction of any combustible product that is producing smoke, including but not limited to, cigarettes (including hand-rolled), cigars, cigarillos or mini-cigars, pipes including improvised pipes, bongs, hookahs, e-cigarettes, vaporizers and other similar devices or products.

Smoking means carrying a lighted or inhaling a lighted product or the burning of any material to be inhaled including, but not limited to, cigarettes (including hand-rolled), cigars, cigarillos or mini-cigars, pipes including improvised pipes, bongs, hookahs, and other similar devices or products.

Reach & Compliance
This campus policy applies indoors, outdoors, to all property that is owned, operated, leased, occupied, or controlled by the College, including College owned vehicles. See Campus Map [3].

All College employees, students, visitors, guests, vendors, and contractors are required to comply with this policy, which shall remain in effect at all times, including in personal vehicles. Failure to comply with this policy may be cause for disciplinary action in accordance with Employee Handbook [4] or the Student Handbook and Resource Guide's community standards [5]. Refusal to comply with the policy by visitors, guests, vendors, and contractors may be grounds for removal from campus.

Exceptions include, but are not limited to:

Academic: The use of smoke producing products in laboratory and classroom instruction or experiments as part of academic work, in compliance with established safety standards.
Cultural and religious practices: Specific activities used in connection with the practice of cultural activities including practices by Indigenous and Native Americans that are in accordance with the American Indian Religious Freedom Act, 42 U.S.C. sections 1996 and 1996a allow for the use of combustible products. All ceremonial use exceptions must be approved in advance by the Spiritual Life Center by contacting slc@hampshire.edu.
Campus sanctioned fire pits: See the fire safety policy [6] on open fires or contact the director of environmental health and safety at rsfPP@hampshire.edu [7].

Outcomes for Smoking Policy Violations

Students
Student alleged to violate the smoking policy, may be referred to the Office of Residence Life or Office of Community Standards and Student Accountability for a administraive meeting or community standards review. If found responsible, students would be assigned accountability measures as part of a accountability and community restoration plan.

For residential communities (floors, mods, etc.) where smoking is occurring and individuals are not identified, community discussion circles may be required as well as other outcomes at the discretion of the residence life coordinator.

Employees
The following actions will be taken for employees found responsible for violations of the smoking policy:

First violation - Verbal reminder
Second violation - Verbal warning from supervisor; referral to educational materials
Third violation - Written warning from supervisor; referral to educational coaching/counseling
Fourth violation - Referral by supervisor to Human Resources

Contractors and/or vendors
All contractors and/or vendors are obligated to follow the campus smoking policy. All contractors and/or vendors should defer to policies and procedures from their employer for holding employees accountable for workplace policy violations.

Smoking Policy FAQs

Am I allowed to have cigarettes on campus or in my living space?
Yes, you are allowed to be a smoker and possess smoking products. You can only smoke in the designated smoking areas.

What about personal motor vehicles? Can I smoke in my car?
No, while you (and your car) are on campus property, smoking is limited to designated smoking areas.

Who enforces the smoking policy?
We all do. As a community, it is our responsibility to hold each other accountable. If you see someone smoking on our campus, ask them to move to a designated smoking area and thank them for complying.

What do I say to someone who is smoking?
Gently and kindly remind them of our policy and that Hampshire restricts smoking to designated smoking areas around campus. Use the acronym “SMOKE” to remember how.

S is for Smile and introduce yourself
M is for Make the assumption the person just doesn’t know the policy
O is for Offer resources for smoking cessation if they are interested
K is for Kindly remind them of the policy
E is for Enforce the policy by asking them to move to a designated smoking area

Inspired by Portland Community College’s educational campaign. [8]

The conversation might look something like this:
Person 1: Hey, I’m [name], how are you today?
Person 2: Hey, I’m [name]. I’m good, how about you?
Person 1: Pretty good, thanks. So I noticed you are smoking and wasn’t sure if you knew Hampshire restricts smoking to designated areas. Can I show you to one?
Person 2: Oh whoops, I didn’t know that.
Person 1: No worries, thanks for being willing to move!

It might feel awkward to talk to someone else about smoking, but if you come to the conversation from a place of compassion and understanding, most people will comply.

In the unlikely event someone gets angry or refuses to move to a designated smoking area, just walk away and ask someone else, like a faculty or staff person to help you.

I’m interested in quitting; how can I get support or resources?
For College employees:
Resources are available via Blue Cross Blue Shield [9] and Employee Assistance Program [10].

For students:
Resources available via Health and Counseling Services [11] and the Wellness Center [12].

health and counseling offers one-on-one quit coaching with medical professionals; contact 413.559.5458 to make an appointment.
the wellness center offers resources for students who want to quit; contact well@hampshire.edu [13] for more information.

For all community members:
Apps to help include, Quit Now, Craving to Quit, Quit Guide, This is Quitting.

Social Media: #quittingsmoking; http://whatshouldwecallquitting.tumblr.com/ [14]

Websites:
http://smokefree.gov/build-your-quit-plan
[15]http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/quit-smoking/guide/index.html
[16]http://smokefree.gov/
[17]http://www.cancer.org/healthy/stayawayfromtobacco/guidetoquittingsmoking/guide-to-quitting-smoking-toc
[18]https://quitsmokingcommunity.org/
[19]https://www.quitnow.net/Program/
[20]http://quitworks.makesmokinghistory.org/
[21]http://makesmokinghistory.org/quit-now/ [22]

Quit Lines:

1-800-QUIT-NOW/1-800-784-8669 or 1-877-44U-QUIT
Spanish: 1-800-8-Déjalo (1-800-833-5256)
Other languages: 1-800-784-8669 to connect with interpreter service
Deaf/TTY: 1-888-229-2182
Request a callback from a Helpline coach [23]

Text messaging: Text QUITNOW to 202-759-6436

Questions or comments? Contact the dean of students office at deanofstudents@hampshire.edu.