Smoking, Vaping, Tobacco and THC Policy

Updated Aug. 29, 2022

On Aug. 1, 2016, The University of Tampa became a smoke and tobacco-free campus.

On Nov. 21, 2021, the following new state law language was added: "In accordance with the federal and state law, and Hillsborough County ordinance, The University of Tampa prohibits the use, sale and possession of any tobacco product, vaporizer or electronic cigarette device for those persons under the age of 21."

On Aug. 29, 2022, The University of Tampa added select tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) products to this policy.

The University of Tampa Smoking, Vaping, Tobacco and THC policy is as follows:

The University of Tampa finds and declares that the purposes of this policy are (1) to protect the public health and welfare by prohibiting the use, sale and possession of any tobacco products, including electronic cigarettes, vaporizers, hookah and select tetrohydrocannabinol products, on The University of Tampa campus; (2) to guarantee the right of nonsmokers/non-vapers to breathe smoke and vapor-free air, while recognizing that the need to breathe clean air shall have priority over the desire to smoke or vape; and (3) to encourage a healthier, more productive living/learning environment for all members of our campus community.

The Smoking, Tobacco, Vaping and THC Policy applies to all University of Tampa facilities, property and vehicles, owned or leased, regardless of location, and includes both indoor and outdoor locations. This includes but is not limited to all administrative, residential, academic and performance spaces, parking lots/garages, paths, fields, sports/recreational areas and stadiums. This policy applies to all students, faculty, staff and other persons on campus, regardless of the purpose of their visit. Please refer to the following state laws for more information.

Smoking, tobacco, vaping, and THC products prohibited are defined as followed:

• Smoking, tobacco, vaping and THC products prohibited are defined as follows: “Electronic Smoking Device” means any product containing or delivering nicotine or any other substance intended for human consumption that can be used by a person to simulate smoking through inhalation of vapor or aerosol from the product. The term includes any such device, whether manufactured, distributed, marketed, or sold as an e-cigarette, e-cigar, e-pipe, e-hookah or vape pen, or under any other product name or descriptor.
• “Hookah” means a water pipe and any associated products and devices which are used to produce fumes, smoke, and/or vapor from the burning of material including, but not limited to, tobacco, shisha, or other plant matter.
• “Smoking” means inhaling, exhaling, burning, or carrying any lighted or heated cigar, cigarette, or pipe, or any other lighted or heated tobacco or plant product intended for inhalation, including hookahs and marijuana, whether natural or synthetic, in any manner or in any form. “Smoking” also includes the use of an electronic smoking device that creates an aerosol or vapor, in any manner or in any form, or the use of any oral smoking device for the purpose of circumventing the prohibition of smoking in this Article.
• “Tobacco Product” means any substance containing tobacco leaf, including but not limited to, cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, hookah tobacco, snuff, chewing tobacco, dipping tobacco, bidis, blunts, clove cigarettes, or any other preparation of tobacco; and any product or formulation of matter containing biologically active amounts of nicotine that is manufactured, sold, offered for sale or otherwise distributed with the expectation that the product or matter will be introduced into the human body by inhalation; but does not include any cessation product specifically approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in treating nicotine or tobacco dependence.
• “Delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol” also known as delta-8 THC, means a psychoactive substance found in the Cannabis sativa plant, of which marijuana and hemp are two varieties. Delta-8 THC is one of over 100 cannabinoids produced naturally by the cannabis plant but is not found in significant amounts in the cannabis plant. As a result, concentrated amounts of delta-8 THC are typically manufactured from hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD). It is considered a THC analogue and has psychoactive and intoxicant properties. Delta-8 is not regulated for safe use by the FDA. Delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol products that contain more than the naturally occurring trace amounts defined as more than one-thousandth of one percent (0.001%) are prohibited.
• “Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol” means a psychoactive substance found in the Cannabis sativa plant, of which marijuana and hemp are two varieties. The marijuana variety is illegal in Florida without a medical marijuana card and is prohibited as written in the Student Code of Conduct.  This hemp derivative, like its marijuana counterpart, has psychoactive and intoxicant properties and is not regulated for safe use by the FDA. Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol products that contain concentrations in excess of naturally occurring trace amounts in excess of three-tenths of one percent (0.3%) are prohibited.
• “Delta-10 tetrahydrocannabinol” means a psychoactive substance found in trace amounts in the hemp plant. It has psychoactive and intoxicant properties and is not regulated for safe use by the FDA. No trace amounts are acceptable.
• "Tetrahydrocannabinol -O and -P” each mean a synthetic form of THC, not extracted from the cannabis plant that are being incorporated and sold in products designed for human consumption through inhalation or ingestion. These products have psychoactive and intoxicant properties present and are not regulated by the FDA for safe use. No trace amounts are acceptable.
• “Hexahydrocannabinol” or HHC, means a hydrogenated form of THC naturally present in varieties of cannabis. HHC is also considered semi-synthetic when chemically hydrogenated from THC. These products have psychoactive and intoxicant properties present and are not regulated by the FDA for safe use. No trace amounts are acceptable.
• Any newly developed synthetic and/or hemp-derived intoxicating cannabinoids that can be ingested or inhaled as they arrive on the market.

The University of Tampa offers free smoking cessation classes to all students, faculty, staff and the community free of charge. The smoking cessation class involves setting a quit date and receiving four free weeks of nicotine replacement therapy (the patch, gum, etc.). To sign up, email wellness@ut.edu or call the Wellness Center at (813) 257-1877.

Additional free classes within the community can be found at I Quit with AHEC.

Breathe Easy UT is a student organization dedicated to educating on tobacco education, free cessation opportunities and smoking policies.

Counseling Services offers substance use assessments, assistance and support for any student wishing to learn more about or quit the use of THC products and hemp-derived intoxicants.

For more information about delta-8, please see 5 Things to Know About Delta-8 Tetrahydrocannabinol – Delta-8 THC.” US Food and Drug Association.

Visit the Florida Legislation website for more information about current laws and amendments.

Who is affected by this policy?

This policy applies to anyone who is on UT’s campus. This includes students, faculty, staff, visitors, contractors, services representatives, volunteers and alumni.

What areas are included in the policy?

This policy is in effect for all indoor and outdoor spaces on the entire campus.

Do I have to quit?

No. Quitting is your personal choice. This prohibits the use and possession of tobacco, vape or hemp-based THC or other intoxicant products while on campus. Those under 21 need to understand that tobacco and vape products are illegal for them to use, however. If someone has an interest in quitting, free cessation programs are offered. Please call (813) 257-1877 to learn about cessation classes.

At the current time, intoxicating THC products derived from hemp and other intoxicating cannabinoids made from hemp are legal in Florida. Choosing to use these products elsewhere is your choice, however, you may not possess or use them on UT’s campus. Students who are in need of assistance in quitting THC or hemp-based intoxicant cannabinoid products can contact Counseling Services for assistance.

What do I do if I see someone breaking the policy?

Compliance is everyone’s responsibility. If you feel comfortable doing so, you can approach the violator in a kind way letting them know that we are a tobacco and vape-free campus, or that hemp-derived intoxicant products are prohibited on UT’s campus. If you are not comfortable or see the same person continuously violating, you can call Campus Safety at (813) 257-7777.

How is the policy enforced?

If possession or use of these products rises to the level of being reported to Campus Safety, Student Conduct or Human Resources, each department will follow their set procedures and deal with individuals on a case-by-case basis. 

What is UT doing to help someone who wants to quit these products?

The University offers free smoking cessation classes to all students, faculty, staff and the community free of charge. The smoking cessation class involves setting a quit date and receiving four free weeks of nicotine replacement therapy (the patch, gum, etc.). To sign up, email wellness@ut.edu or call the Wellness Center at (813) 257-1877.

Counseling Services are available for anyone wishing to quit any hemp-based intoxicant product or THC product.

Additional free classes within the community can be found at I Quit with AHEC.

Delta-8 and other hemp-derived products are legal. Why are they prohibited on UT’s campus?

Based on recent trends regarding adverse physical and psychological health, as well as increased reports to the FDA and poison control centers, UT is addressing this as a public health issue to protect the campus community. These products have psychoactive and intoxicant properties present and are not regulated by the FDA for safe use. In addition, there is variability in product formulations, concentrations of THC and product labeling which can cause problems for consumers. For more information please see:

5 Things to Know About Delta-8 Tetrahydrocannabinol – Delta-8 THC.” US Food and Drug Association

Are all hemp products prohibited?

No, only those with psychoactive and intoxicant properties as listed in the policy above.