UAMS ADMINISTRATIVE GUIDE

NUMBER: 3.1.01
DATE: 09/19/02
REVISION: 07/04/04

PURPOSE

Smoking both from direct smoking as well as indirectly from inhaling the smoke from others who are smoking near-by, is a major cause of preventable disease and death. Further, individuals who smoke provide a role model that increases the likelihood that others around them will begin smoking and creates an environment that makes it more difficult for smokers around them who wish to quit to be successful in their quit attempts.  The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) is committed to promoting health, wellness, prevention and the treatment of diseases within the community as well as to providing a safe, clean and healthy environment for our patients, visitors, employees and students.  UAMS serves as a model for our community in the area of promoting the good health of our staff and influencing public attitudes about smoking. It is, therefore, UAMS’s policy to provide a totally smoke-free work environment. UAMS is committed to providing helpful intervention strategies and treatment resources in addressing this issue and to offering programs to assist patients, students, current employees to reduce their dependence on tobacco products.  

DEFINITIONS

Smoking – a lighted cigar, cigarette, pipe or other lighted smoking device carried by a person.

Employee – for the purpose of this policy, all UAMS employees while in UAMS facilities (leased or owned) or on the grounds of those facilities.

Students – for the purpose of this policy, any UAMS student attending any of the colleges on the UAMS grounds, leased or owned buildings.

PROCEDURES

1.      Employees are prohibited from smoking on or in all UAMS designated buildings, owned or leased properties, UAMS owned or leased vehicles, and UAMS adjacent grounds, including parking lots and ramps.

2.      Patients in the UAMS Medical Center are prohibited from smoking in accordance with the UAMS Medical Center Policy Manual Policy PS 1.09.

3.      This policy applies to all persons, including employees, faculty, students, patients, visitors, contractors, subcontractors, and others in UAMS buildings and parking lots and ramps.  Individuals located in buildings off-campus which are not owned by UAMS will abide by the smoking policy of the particular building in which they reside.  Administrative personnel responsible for these areas may impose more restrictive policies if so desired.

4. Compliance with this non-smoking policy will be the responsibility of all administrators.

ü        Lack of cooperation or repeated violations should be reported to the individual’s supervisor.  The supervisor shall then attempt to resolve the problem. 

ü        Standard disciplinary procedures will be followed for compliance problems with employees.  Violations will result in progressive disciplinary actions, including termination.

ü        In the event the smoking violation involves a potential threat to health or safety (e.g. smoking where combustible supplies, flammable liquids, gasses or oxygen are used or stored) the UAMS Police maybe called for additional support. 

ü        UAMS Police shall be notified as the final resource to resolve problems arising with visitors during the enforcement of this policy.

5.      Signs will be posted at each building’s entrances and displayed in prominent, visible areas thanking employees for not smoking in accordance with this policy.

6.      Employees will be informed of the UAMS non-smoking policy during orientation.  The Office of Human Resources will also inform employment candidates of the non-smoking policy during the application process.

7.      Smoking materials will not be sold or dispensed within the UAMS campus.