University Enforcing New State Smoking Law

One major change that students will find on the University of Arkansas campus this fall is that smoking is illegal. The Arkansas state legislature passed the Clean Air on Campus Act in 2009, and it went into effect Aug. 1. This law makes it illegal to smoke on the campus of any state-supported institution of higher education in Arkansas.

As a result of this new law the university has updated its Smoking and Tobacco Use Policy (724.0), which combines the state Clean Air Act with the tobacco-free campus policy that has been in effect since 2008.

"The University of Arkansas will continue to seek a culture of compliance with the university's policy, in the same spirit of cooperation and consideration of health that has been in effect for over two years," said Mary-Alice Serafini, assistant vice provost for student affairs and executive director of the Pat Walker Health Center. "The vast majority of people on campus have complied with the policy, and we are confident that support will increase, now that the state law is in effect. We truly appreciate that support."

Under this policy people who are smoking on campus are subject to a citation issued by University Police, with referral to the Fayetteville District Court. Anyone convicted of smoking on campus is subject to a fine ranging from $100 to $500.

There are no criminal penalties for other violations of the university's tobacco-free policy, but it will be enforced in the same way as other campus policies.

• Students using tobacco products such as chewing tobacco or electronic cigarettes will be referred to the university's student disciplinary process.
• Employees will be referred to their respective units for progressive discipline.
• Contractors will be referred to their respective employers for appropriate action.
• Visitors will be required to leave the campus or the location where the offense occurred; failure to cooperate may lead to a citation or arrest.

Smoking or the use of tobacco products or electronic cigarettes is also prohibited in any vehicles on campus and in university vehicles at any location.

Suspected violations of the state smoking law or the university tobacco-free policy may be reported to University Police. University policy makes it clear that those who complain of violations may not be retaliated against.

The full university Smoking and Tobacco Policy may be viewed at the vice chancellor for finance and administration.