Campus Smoking/Vaping

I. SCOPE

This policy applies to all George Mason University faculty, staff, students, contractors, visitors and guests of the University at all Mason locations. University personnel must inform visitors and guests of this policy.

II. POLICY STATEMENT

George Mason University is committed to providing a safe, healthful, and pleasant learning and working environment for Mason students, faculty and staff. The purpose of this policy is to address the use of all tobacco products and electronic cigarettes, as well as ensure compliance with the Virginia Indoor Clean Air Act and Virginia Executive Order 41. Virginia Executive Order 41 states that smoking is not permitted within buildings, facilities, enclosed structures, or vehicles owned, leased or rented by the University.[1]

  1. Executive Order 41 applies to parking garages, covered walkways, temporary enclosed structures, trailers, and tents, as well as structures placed on state-owned property by contractors or vendors.
  2. Smoking is not permitted outdoors within 25 feet of any building or facility entrance/exit (including parking garages, loading docks, etc.), outdoor air intake, operable window, or covered walkway. Smokers are required to use ash urns to dispose of their smoking material waste and should not litter on state-owned property with smoking material waste.
  3. Smoking locations should not impede traffic flow in or out of buildings and should be in a location where smoke cannot drift into office, class or living spaces.
  4. Faculty, staff, student and visitor smokers are required to comply with Office of Housing and Residence Life policies and guidelines as they relate to smoking.

The use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) also known as vaping will follow the same guidelines as the use of all tobacco products.

III. COMPLIANCE

The Vice President for Facilities, Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, the Assistant Vice President for Business Services, Auxiliary Enterprises and the Assistant to the Vice President for University Life have the overall responsibility for this policy in their areas, and shall inform faculty, staff, students, and visitors (including vendors and contractors) under their jurisdictions of the provisions of this policy.

All faculty, staff, students, visitors, and guests share the responsibility for the support and maintenance of a safe, healthful, and pleasant learning and working environment for the Mason community and for keeping the campus clean, attractive and litter-free. Compliance with the policy helps to support a respectful, civil environment for the entire Mason community.

IV. FORMS

N/A

V. DATES

Effective Date:   

This policy is effective June 7, 2004. Revisions to this policy shall become effective upon the date of approval by the Senior Vice President for Administration and Finance and Provost and Executive Vice President.

Date of Most Recent Review:

1/8/2021.

VI. TIMETABLE FOR REVIEW

This policy, and any related procedures, shall be reviewed annually.

VII. SIGNATURES

Approved:

_/S______________________
Carol D. Kissal
Senior Vice President, Administration and Finance

_/S_______________________
Mark R. Ginsberg
Provost and Executive Vice President

Date approved: June 11, 2004
Revised: February 11, 2014
Revised: October 5, 2015
Revised: October 7, 2015
Revised: January 8, 2021


[1] Executive Order 41 directs universities to adopt guidelines on outdoor smoking on state property based on guidance from the Secretary of Administration entitled “Smoking Ban in State Offices and Vehicles”.