CBU is committed to providing a safe, healthy and clean place in which to study, work, visit, and live. Recognizing the detrimental impact smoking has on health and well-being of smokers and others, the new Smoke-Free Campus policy is the next step in that commitment.

Smoke-free campus means that smoking is not permitted inside university owned buildings or vehicles and only on campus in designated smoking areas. There are two designated smoking areas on campus. See map.

This was considered; however, given the location of our campus on the Sydney-Glace Bay Highway, there were safety concerns for those who choose to smoke. Providing designated smoking areas allows CBU to meet its commitment to providing a safe and healthy working and learning environment. According to a Department of Transportation traffic study, approximately 25000 vehicles travel the Sydney-Glace Bay Highway daily.

The Cape Breton University Smoke-Free Campus Policy came into effect on October 17, 2018.

The policy applies to students, faculty, staff, contract service workers and visitors to campus.

There are two designated smoking areas on campus. See map.

Smoking includes the inhaling, exhaling, burning or carrying of any lighted or heated tobacco product or other plant product intended for inhalation, including but not limited to cigarettes, cigars, pipes, hookahs (waterpipe) and cannabis. Smoking also includes the use of any oral or electronic smoking device that creates an aerosol or vapor such as e-cigarettes or vaporizers.

Yes. Under the Employee and Family Assistance Program, individuals can access Smoking Cessation support and programs via telephone or online. Please contact Human Resources for more information.

Support is available for students by contacting the Nancy Dingwall Health and Counselling Centre or by calling 811 to speak with a Smoking Cessation Support Worker.

Yes. Cape Breton University recognizes the unique relationship that many Indigenous cultures have with traditional and sacred medicines such as tobacco, sweet grass, sage and cedar, among others. The burning of sacred medicines will be conducted in accordance with the Smudging Ceremony Safety Guidelines.

Individuals are permitted to smoke in their vehicles if the vehicle is parked in one of the designated smoking areas.

Smoking is not permitted in any university owned vehicle.

New employees will be advised of the policy as part of their orientation process. New students will be informed of policy through Week of Welcome information sessions.

As part of CBU’s commitment to harm reduction on campus, education sessions will be held throughout the year focused on smoking cessation, responsible cannabis use, among other topics.

All faculty, staff and students are expected to comply with University policy. We will continue to focus our efforts on promoting a culture change to one of clean air and a clean environment. We would rather create this change through awareness, education, respect, peer-to-peer encouragement and support. Therefore, our main focus will be on voluntary compliance through education, signage and awareness. We believe that’s the kind of campus and approach that will work best for everyone – both smokers and non-smokers.

Campus Security will take every opportunity to educate people about the new policy. For individuals who do not comply to the policy the consequences are as follows:

Students will be issued a ticket with a fine of $50 for the first offence, $100 for the second and $250 for the third. If a student is found smoking after a third offence, they will be referred to the Student Judicial Board for disciplinary action.

Employees will be reported to their immediate supervisor and may face disciplinary action.

Visitors to the campus will be asked to leave.

Providing a safe and healthy campus is a shared responsibility. Although it will be up to security to enforce, they can’t do it alone. We ask people to be respectful when educating others about the new Smoke-Free Campus Policy. Reports can also be made to Campus Security by calling or texting 902-578-2318.

We ask people to be respectful if they choose to inform smokers about the policy or to offer support for smoking cessation programs. This is part of raising awareness.

Consultation occurred with the Students’ Union, International Student Advisors and the administration of the International Centre for English Academic Preparation (ICEAP).

Feedback was requested from the Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee and Deans, Directors and Managers from various schools and departments. Union representatives were also consulted.

Employees with questions or feedback regarding the policy should speak with their supervisor or a representative from the Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee.

Students can contact Campus Security for assistance.

If you have questions about the enforcement of the Smoke-Free Campus policy, please contact the Manager of Security.