Smoke-Free at òòò½ÎÑ
Starting September 2025, òòò½ÎÑ will adopt smoke-free campuses.
Tobacco kills more than 8 million people each year worldwide, including over 1.3 million non-smokers who are exposed to secondhand smoke.
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As a leader in evidence-informed research, the expansion to a smoke free campus is òòò½ÎÑ’s ongoing effort to support a healthy, productive, respectful environment in which to work, learn, and live.
The College’s strong commitment to creating a healthier society is demonstrated by the signing of the Okanagan Charter and our commitment to smoking and vape-free campuses.
What does a smoke-free campus mean?
Once adopted, smoking and use of all smoking devices will be prohibited on any land boundary owned and controlled, or leased, by òòò½ÎÑ, inclusive of buildings, learning places, public places, and workplaces.
This prohibition will support òòò½ÎÑ’s attempts to eliminate all exposure to smoke products and second-hand smoke.
These include college buildings, vehicles, public spaces, and events under campus property.
To whom does this policy apply to?
òòò½ÎÑ Smoke-Free Campus applies to all members of the college community (Community Members) including, but not limited to students, staff, faculty, volunteers, visitors, observers, contractors, and institutional administrators and officials representing òòò½ÎÑ.
òòò½ÎÑ’s Smoke-Free Campus prohibits smoking tobacco, cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, mini-cigars, pipes, water pipes, hookah, and shisha on any College property. It also includes the use of electronic smoking devices* which create an aerosol or vapor, in any manner or in any form, or the use of any smoking device.
*Vaping can increase coughing and wheezing, heart rate, and cause inflammation of the lungs, and increased heart rate. Its long-term effects are still unknown and can lead to similar diseases as smoking.
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The òòò½ÎÑ Smoke-Free Campus Policy applies to all land boundaries owned by òòò½ÎÑ, inclusive of buildings, learning places, public places, and workplaces. Those who wish to smoke or use tobacco or smoking devices are required to leave òòò½ÎÑ property.
Smoking is prohibited on college property and, therefore, tobacco use, and smoking are not permitted inside or outside of any vehicles while parked on college property.
Smoking in College vehicles has been prohibited for several years and remains so under the proposed Policy and in compliance with the Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Act.
All events occurring on college property are subject to the Tobacco and Smoke-Free Campus Policy. The òòò½ÎÑ Smoke-Free Campus Policy applies to anyone entering College property for any reason.
Smoking on any publicly owned sport field or surface, including those that are owned by a post-secondary education institution, is also prohibited under the Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Act and will remain so under the proposed policy.
Smoking is prohibited while on college property. For the first few months, anyone found in contravention of the òòò½ÎÑ Smoke-Free Campus Policy will be asked to refrain from smoking. Future enforcement will be aligned with existing policies and procedures (Policies | òòò½ÎÑ).
Tobacco referred to on the òòò½ÎÑ Smoke-Free Campus Policy is only referring to tobacco that is smoked. This does not include smokeless tobacco such as chew, spit, snuff, etc.
The College has a duty to accommodate employees and students with disabilities. The College must also take every reasonable precaution to ensure the safety of the learning and workplace and will be obligated to prohibit situations that jeopardize the health and safety of all.
When in receipt of an accommodation request, the College will engage the processes outlined Disability Management Guideline on Workplace Accommodation. Please note that accommodations will be made for employees and students on a case-by-case basis.
For further inquiries, please contact Student Services or People Services.
Many actions were taken to ensure as many groups as possible were represented during the planning and implementation processes, and to provide a mechanism for groups to voice their ideas and concerns. Between Spring and Fall of 2024, meetings were held with many campus and community partners; including different official committees and groups, registered student clubs, various student, College leaders and community stakeholders.
These meetings:
- Informed members of the campus community about how the decision to become tobacco and smoke-free occurred;
- Provided information about the implementation process; and,
- Solicited input to help make the process as collaborative as possible.
For additional information and resources on how the òòò½ÎÑ Smoke-Free policy will affect current employees, please access .
Implementing the òòò½ÎÑ Smoke-Free Campus Policy
As we acclimate to the terms of a new Policy* and become more aware of campus boundaries, it is important for us to remain courteous and respectful when reminding members of the College community whether it be employee, visitor, student, alumni, or contractor about the òòò½ÎÑ Smoke-Free Campus Policy.
We expect all members of the College community to support one another and treat each other with dignity and respect.
*Final policy is under review and will be linked here when complete.
Indigenous traditional and sacred medicines
òòò½ÎÑ recognizes the unique relationship that many Indigenous cultures have with traditional and sacred medicines such as tobacco, sweet grass, sage, and cedar, among others as provided under the Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Act.
As such, exemptions to the policy will be granted to òòò½ÎÑ community members, upon request, for the burning of these medicines as part of Indigenous cultural and spiritual practices.
Please refer questions regarding ceremonial indigenous events that would include the use of these traditional and sacred medicines, to Indigenous Services.
Resources and information
We know quitting smoking is a process that doesn't happen the same way for everyone. Best practices indicate that smoking cessation is most successful with a combination of support, coaching and medications.
After just 48 hours of being nicotine-free, your sense of taste and smell begins to return. After 1 year, your risk of having a heart attack is cut in half.
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Offers free online tools, supports and resources to help quit or reduce nicotine use.
Create a plan to quit or reduce nicotine.
A free program that offers culturally appropriate support and information about quitting smoking, vaping and commercial tobacco use to First Nations, Inuit, Metis and urban Indigenous communities.
Before you set your quit date you need to prepare. Take time to think about when, where, and why you use tobacco. If you understand your habits and triggers, you'll have a better chance at success.
The best way to quit smoking is finding the one that works for you. Combining the right tools and support can improve your chances of quitting. Explore your options and make your plan.
Helps eligible B.C residents of any age stop using tobacco and vaping products. Each calendar year (January to December), you can receive PharmaCare coverage for one continuous course of treatment of up to 12 weeks (84 days) for either NRT or prescription medication.
For news, tips and to be in touch with those who have quit, are trying to quit, or are supporting others.
Contact us
Prior to implementation of the Smoke-Free Policy, general questions and feedback about the initiative may be directed to Student Services and/or People Services.