SENATE RESOLUTION 07-08-02 Smoke Free Building Environment

WHEREAS,   Multiple major reviews of evidence have concluded that secondhand smoke, also called environmental tobacco smoke causes adverse effects, particularly to the cardiovascular and respiratory systems and on the health of those exposed; and there is an awareness of a variety of concerns which relate to smoking around the entrance sites to campus buildings, and

WHEREAS,   The Division of Facilities and Operations, Human Resources and Student Affairs have been working together since the fall of 2005 regarding tobacco education, cessation resources, protection of indoor air quality for building occupants; and campus beautification, and

WHEREAS,   The U.S. Public Health Service, Department of Health and Human Services in a report to the Surgeon General has warned of the consequences of exposure to environmental tobacco smoke since 1972; and

WHEREAS,   The American College Health Association recommends that College and University Campuses prohibit smoking within twenty feet of all campus facilities, dormitories, resident halls, and in University owned vehicles, and

WHEREAS,   To take steps to comply with these recommendation would be in cooperation with the city ordinances for clean air facilities; and

 

WHEREAS,   It is the position of the Office of Environmental Health and Safety that The University of Alabama in Huntsville needs to take additional actions to protect visitors, students, faculty and staff from exposure to environmental tobacco smoke by eliminating smoking from intrusion into the buildings through windows, air intakes and building entranceways;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED

 That the Faculty Senate of The University of Alabama in Huntsville requests that The University adopt the policy that smoking areas be designated at least twenty feet away from all University buildings and prohibit smoking in any area other than personal vehicles and designated smoking areas.