Secretariat Policies

Smoking Policy

Posted on 10 December 2018
Topic: Employees, Employment and Workplace, University Grounds and Physical Facilities
Approval Authority: Board of Governors
Approval Date: 27 November 2018
Effective Date: 27 November 2018
Last Revised: 29 April 2025

1.  Preamble

York University values the health, safety and well-being of all students, faculty, staff, visitors, contractors and volunteers. It is committed to creating a healthy workplace and an organizational culture that promotes prevention, support and well-being. The University recognizes the interdependence between a healthy workplace and employee engagement and further, between employee and student engagement and academic excellence.

2. Purpose

This policy sets out requirements regarding smoking on York University’s campuses and sites in a manner that promotes the health, safety and well-being of all community members through the reduction of second-hand smoke exposure. It complies with the requirements of the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017, the Canadian Cannabis Act, 2017 and local municipal by-laws. This Policy is subject to change in order to maintain compliance with provincial and federal legislation.

3. Scope

This policy applies to all Community members and businesses on York University campuses and sites including students, faculty, staff, visitors, contractors and volunteers.

4. Definitions

Definitions for the purposes of this Policy:

Enclosed public place: the inside of any place, building or structure or vehicle or conveyance, or a part of any of them, that is covered by a roof, and to which the public is ordinarily invited or permitted access, either expressly or by implication, whether or not a fee is charged for entry, or a prescribed place;

Enclosed workplace: the inside of any place, building or structure or vehicle or conveyance, or a part of any of them, that is covered by a roof, that employees work in or frequent during the course of their employment whether or not they are acting in the course of their employment at the time, and that is not primarily a private dwelling, or a prescribed place;

Smoking: inhaling, exhaling or holding lighted tobacco or cannabis (medical or recreational). Also includes vaping (inhaling or exhaling vapour from an electronic cigarette, vaporizer or inhalant-type device, whether called an electronic cigarette or any other name, that contains a power source and heating element designed to heat a substance and produce a vapour intended to be inhaled directly through the mouth, whether or not the vapour contains nicotine).

5. Policy

The following requirements regarding smoking apply on York University’s campuses and sites:

5.1 The university ensures compliance with all relevant laws related to smoking on its campuses by maintaining smoke-free environments. Community members are not permitted to smoke or vape in any enclosed workplace, enclosed public place, nor other places designated as smoke-free and vape-free in this Policy;

5.2 Smoking is only permitted at outdoor designated smoking area(s) on York campuses.

5.3 York community members working at other York sites are to follow the smoking-related requirements of the building they are in, in addition to this policy;

5.4 Smoking is not permitted indoors or within nine (9) metres of an entrance/exit or air intake of any building, including student residences;

5.5 Smoking is not permitted indoors or within twenty (20) metres of an entrance/exit or air intake of any child care centre;

5.6 Smoking is not permitted on or around sports fields and surfaces (e.g. areas for basketball, baseball, soccer or beach volleyball, ice rinks, tennis courts, splash pads and swimming pools);

5.7 Smoking is not permitted on bar and restaurant patios;

5.8 The sale of tobacco is not permitted on university and college campuses, including all buildings that are owned or leased by a post-secondary institution or student union;

5.9 Smoking is not permitted in university residences;

5.10 Traditional use of tobacco and other sacred medicines by Indigenous Persons is exempted from this policy, as outlined in the Smudging and Pipe Ceremony Policy.

6. Roles and Responsibilities

The Vice-President of Equity, People and Culture is responsible for the implementation of this Policy and may establish associated procedures and guidelines regarding any matter set out in this Policy.

7. Resources and Support for Smoking Cessation

8. Review

The Vice-President Equity, People and Culture shall review this policy every five years at a minimum.

Legislative History: Approved: 2018/11/27. Amendments approved by the Board of Governors 2025/04/29
Date of Next Review: February 2030
Related Policies, Procedures and Guidelines:
Categories: Uncategorized