BT0018 – Policy on Smoking

Board of Trustees

Section 1. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to protect the health and safety of University students, employees, and visitors; to promote a healthy and safe work, educational, and living environment; and to comply with applicable state laws regarding smoking. This policy is adopted by the Board of Trustees to provide the University’s campuses and institutes the authority to regulate or prohibit smoking in accordance with applicable state laws.

Section 2. Definitions

“Smoking” means inhaling, exhaling, burning, or carrying any lighted cigar, cigarette (including an electronic cigarette or similar device), pipe, or other lighted tobacco product, in any manner or in any form.

“The University of Tennessee” or “University” means the campuses, centers, units and institutes of The University of Tennessee, and all their constituent parts, and The University of Tennessee system administration. Neither “The University of Tennessee” nor “University” means The University of Tennessee Foundation, Inc., or The University of Tennessee Research Foundation.

“University Property” means:

  1. All land, grounds, buildings, structures, and any other physical property owned or operated by the University; and
  2. All motor vehicles owned, leased, or operated by the University.

Section 3. Delegation of Authority for Campuses and Institutes to Regulate or Prohibit Smoking

3.1 The Board of Trustees delegates to each campus and institute the authority to adopt a written procedure to regulate or prohibit smoking in and on all University Property at the campus or institute.

3.2 Campus and institute procedures adopted under this policy must comply with applicable state law, including Tennessee Code Annotated § 49-7-135 and the Non-Smoker Protection Act, Tennessee Code Annotated § 39-17-1801 et seq. Such procedures must prohibit smoking in all areas as required by state law, including in all buildings owned or operated by the University; within a reasonable distance around all entrances to buildings owned or operated by the University; and in all motor vehicles owned, leased, or operated by the University.

3.3 Campus and institute procedures adopted under this policy may include a complete ban on smoking and may designate the campus or institute as “smoke-free.” However, nothing in this policy is intended to require that any particular campus or institute adopt a procedure that makes its campus or institute completely smoke-free.

3.4 Nothing in this policy is intended to limit the right of a campus or institute to allow for designated smoking areas, provided that any such designated smoking area does not permit smoking in any location where smoking is otherwise prohibited by law.

3.5 All campus and institute procedures should include appropriate compliance and enforcement mechanisms, including instructions on reporting of violations and disciplinary measures for employees and students who violate the procedures.


Policy Details:

BT0018 – Policy on Smoking
Version: 1 // Effective: November 3, 2017
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