Appendix G

University Policy on Smoking

In recognition of the severe health risks associated with smoking, and in compliance with applicable laws, Columbia has adopted the following policy that restricts the right to smoke on its premises:

1. Smoking is prohibited in any indoor area at the University that is open to the public.
2. Smoking is prohibited in any enclosed work area for faculty, staff, or students, except as provided in paragraph 7b, set forth below.
3. Smoking is prohibited in the following outdoor areas at the University:
   1. Outdoor seating or viewing areas of sports arenas and recreational areas, such as those at Baker Field.
   2. Outdoor dining areas of restaurants, such as those outside the Uris dining facility.
   3. Outdoor seating or viewing areas where presentations and performances (such as motion pictures, concerts, theater, lectures, or dances) are to take place.
4. Smoking is prohibited in University vehicles used for shuttle-bus service for University faculty, staff, or students and is prohibited in other University vehicles unless all occupants agree that smoking may be permitted.
5. Without in any way limiting the general rule, smoking is specifically prohibited in the following areas at the University: auditoriums, classrooms, libraries, conference rooms, meeting rooms, day care centers, laboratories, storage areas, employee or student lounges, theaters, clubhouses, elevators, hallways, stairways, rest rooms, apartment buildings (other than in individual apartments, rooms, or suites), seating or viewing areas of sports arenas and recreational areas, gymnasiums, swimming pools, health care facilities, employee or student medical facilities, rooms or areas containing photocopying or other equipment used by employees or students in common, food markets or other retail stores, restaurants, cafeterias and dining facilities (including Faculty House), and bars or other places in which alcoholic or other beverages are served.
6. In any dispute under this policy, the health concerns of the nonsmoking faculty, staff, or students shall be granted priority.
7. The restrictions announced in this policy statement do not apply to:
   1. Student bedrooms in University residence halls, which will be subject to the University Residence Halls policies with regard to smoking.
   2. Private enclosed faculty, staff, or student offices that are usually occupied by no more than three persons provided that:
      1. smoking is prohibited whenever more than three persons are present even if each person present consents to permit smoking;
      2. when between one and three persons are present, at least one of the persons present is the usual occupant, and each person present consents to permit smoking; and
      3. the office door is completely closed while anyone is smoking and remains closed for a reasonable period of time thereafter in order to minimize or eliminate the drift of second-hand smoke into smoke-free areas.
   3. Individual apartments, rooms, or suites in University off-campus apartment buildings.
8. The New York City Smoke Free Air Act of 1995 and University policy prohibit employer retaliatory and adverse personnel action against employees or applicants for employment who exercise, or attempt to exercise, any rights under this policy, which includes the right to refuse to enter a room while anyone is smoking. Any complaints or grievances claiming retaliation may be processed through the appropriate grievance procedures.
9. Also under the City Smoke Free Air Act of 1995, the University has an obligation to inform persons smoking in restricted areas that they are doing so. Certain employees have been designated in the various schools and departments as responsible for informing persons who smoke in restricted areas that they are in violation of the law and University policy.
10. Questions, problems, or complaints concerning smoking and this Policy should, as much as possible, be resolved by the appropriate dean, vice president, director, or department chairperson (or their delegates). Any employee having a question or problem of this nature should present it to his/her immediate supervisor. If the problem is not resolved at that level, the employee should present the matter to the department head who will resolve the dispute in a manner consistent with the Policy. These officers or their delegates will have the responsibility in the first instances of enforcing the Policy in areas under their control. The Vice President for Environmental Health and Safety will have overall enforcement responsibility throughout the University and can also provide advice about the University's Smoking Policy. Human Resources' Office of Employee and Labor Relations will assist with issues relating to employee and labor relations.

According to reports issued by the Surgeon General, smoking presents risks of certain cancers, coronary artery disease, emphysema, gastric ulcers, stroke, and fetal injury. In general, smokers die from a variety of ailments at a rate twice as high as nonsmokers.

Smoking cessation programs are sponsored by and held at Columbia throughout the year. Because quitting smoking decreases most risks to health, and because most people who smoke would quit if they could, Columbia urges its affiliates to take advantage of all available programs.