5,460: Tobacco Free University

Revised: June 2018

General Policy:

The University of Nevada, Reno prohibits the use of all tobacco and marijuana products, alternative nicotine products, vapor products in all owned, operated, leased, occupied, or controlled university buildings and structures, grounds, walkways, sidewalks, streets, parking lots, and vehicles throughout campus.

Definitions:

"Alternative nicotine product" means any noncombustible product containing nicotine that is intended for human consumption, whether chewed, absorbed, dissolved or ingested by any other means. The term does not include any product regulated by the United States Food and Drug Administration pursuant to Subchapter V of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, 21 U.S.C.§§351 et seq. (NRS 202.2485(1)).

"Government building" means any building or office space owned, leased or occupied by any component of the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) and used for any purpose related to NSHE. (NRS 202.2483(12)(e))

"Smoking" means inhaling, exhaling, burning, or carrying any lighted or heated cigar, cigarette, or pipe, including a hookah pipe, or any other lighted or heated tobacco or plant product, including marijuana, intended for inhalation, in any manner or in any form, or the use of any oral smoking device for the purpose of circumventing the prohibition of smoking in designated outdoor areas only in this policy.

"Vapor product" means any noncombustible product containing nicotine that employs a heating element, power source, electronic circuit or other electronic, chemical or mechanical means, regardless of the shape and size thereof, that can be used to produce a vapor from nicotine in a solution or other form. "Vapor product" includes, without limitation, (1) an electronic cigarette, cigar, cigarillo or pipe or a similar product or device. "Vapor product" does not include any product regulated by the United States Food and Drug Administration pursuant to Subchapter V of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, 21 U.S.C.§§351 et seq. (NRS 202.2475(5))

Policy:

The University of Nevada, Reno's mission and themes are best achieved in an environment that promotes a healthy lifestyle among students, faculty, and staff. UNR is committed to providing a safe and healthy working and learning environment at its campuses. The use of tobacco products and the exposure to second-hand smoke are inconsistent with such a commitment. Accordingly, this tobacco-free policy prohibits the use of tobacco products, including alternative nicotine products and vapor products, on all university property. Pursuant to the Nevada Clean Indoor Air Act, NRS 202.2483, smoking tobacco in any form is prohibited within indoor places of employment, including government buildings. The Act also provides that, in areas where smoking is not prohibited by law, nothing in state law prohibits the owners of such areas from voluntarily creating nonsmoking sections or designating the entire establishment as smoke free. University of Nevada, Reno's policy prohibits the smoking of tobacco and the use of alternative nicotine products and vapor products on all university property owned, leased, or occupied. 

The posting of signs prohibiting smoking constitutes an order to students, faculty, and staff not to use tobacco products. Signs will provide direction to the public and visitors to comply with the policy.

Repeated violations could constitute insubordination, which conduct would provide the basis for imposition of a disciplinary sanction against student, faculty, and staff pursuant to the rules governing their attendance or employment at UNR.

NSHE and NRS Codes:

NSHE Code   Reference NSHE Board of Regents Handbook
NRS Code     NRS 202.2483, NRS 202.2485