Smoking Policy and Cessation Information

Updated November 2021

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

The University of Tampa Smoking, Vaping and Tobacco 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 smoking, vaping and the use of tobacco products, including electronic cigarettes/vape devices, 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, Vaping and Tobacco-Free Policy applies to all University of Tampa facilities, property, and vehicles, owned or leased, regardless of location. Smoking, vaping and the use of tobacco products shall not be permitted in any enclosed place, including, but not limited to, all offices, classrooms, hallways, waiting rooms, restrooms, meeting rooms, community areas, performance venues, and private residential space within University of Tampa housing. Smoking, vaping and the use of tobacco products shall also be prohibited outdoors on all University of Tampa campus property, including, but not limited to, 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 for their visit.

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.

Please refer to the following state laws for more information.

Smoking and tobacco 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.

**Please be aware that citations will be given to people using tobacco/nicotine/vape products on campus.**

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.

When did UT go smoke and tobacco-free?

The University of Tampa transitioned from smoke zones (established in 2013) to a smoke and tobacco-free campus on Aug. 1, 2016.

Why did UT go smoke and tobacco-free?

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

What products are included in the policy?

• “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 which 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.

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. UT is not asking anyone to quit. The policy states that no smoke or tobacco product can be used while on campus. If someone has an interest in quitting, free cessation programs are offered. Please call (813) 257-1877 to learn about cessation classes.

How is the policy enforced?

This policy is enforced like any other policy. Citations will be given, and you will be asked to comply. Failure to comply with the policy may result in disciplinary action.

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 about the smoke and tobacco-free policy. If you are not comfortable or see the same person continuously violating, you can call Campus Safety at (813) 257-7777 or send a description of the violation to wellness@ut.edu including as much detail as possible in order for Campus Safety or a Breathe Easy UT ambassador to notify the violator.

If you are interested in becoming a Breathe Easy UT ambassador, please contact wellness@ut.edu.

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

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.