Guidelines for Smoking in Campus Buildings

Kansas State Act 21-4009, et.seq., prohibits smoking in public places unless otherwise posted. “Public place” refers to enclosed areas only. The following guidelines are presented to help define some of the issues that heretofore may have caused concern for some individuals and department. The University Attorney was consulted and he concurs with the following guidelines and interpretations.

Guidelines:

1. Smoking is prohibited in all buildings except in designated areas. All buildings must have signs on entrances stating that "Smoking is prohibited except in designated areas," or similar wordage.

2. A smoking area must have a conspicuous sign stating "Smoking Permitted in this Area" or similar wordage.

3. Private offices do not need smoking permitted signs (if smoking is permitted) but waiting rooms, anterooms, etc. must contain a smoking permitted sign (if smoking is permitted therein).

4. Smoking is not permitted in hallways (except where posted), restrooms, classrooms, elevators, wet laboratories, and areas of public assembly. Note: The law states, "Where smoking areas are designated, existing physical barriers and ventilation systems shall be used..." That statement is interpreted to mean if walls and ventilation systems are currently in place, one should use them, but on the other hand, one does not need to construct them to comply with the law.

5. If smoking areas are established in lounges, similar facilities in the same building must be available for both sexes.

6. Designation and the percentage of area established for smoking will be determined by the person in charge of the building.

7. The location of the designated smoking area should appear on the building directory.

8. A smoking permitted area may change from time to time as long as the appropriate signs are available when the change occurs.

9. Primary responsibility for enforcing these guidelines lies with the person(s) in charge of the building.

If you have any questions, contact the University Attorney’s Office, 532-5730, or the Department of Campus Safety, 532-5856.

KSU Policy on Smoking in University Buildings

(July 1, 1994)

Purpose:

Because smoking is a potential public health and fire hazard, it shall be restricted in order (A) to prevent infringements upon others, and (B) to create and maintain an environment that is in the best interest of the safety, health, and well-being of all the users of University buildings.

Policy:

Smoking is prohibited in any laboratory, elevator, library, indoor theater, art gallery, concert hall, place of public assembly, waiting room of a medical care facility, building corridor, or other locations where no smoking signs are posted.

Smoking in all campus buildings, except private offices, shall be confined to areas designated by a sign, such as “Smoking Permitted in this Area,” posted by or at the request of the person in control of the area and approved by the Department of Campus Safety.

Enforcement:

Unlawful smoking is a misdemeanor and shall be punishable by a fine of $15.00.

THIS POLICY IS IN ACCORDANCE WITH K.S.A. 21-4009, et. seq.