(A) Policy statement
(1) Cleveland state university has a vital interest in maintaining a safe, healthy and respectful learning and working environment for members of the university community. The university seeks to set a model for a smoke and tobacco free workplace and promotion of healthy lifestyles now and in the future. Research findings show that use of tobacco products in general constitutes a significant health hazard.
(2) Smoking and tobacco use, including the sale, advertising, sampling and distribution of smoking and tobacco products and tobacco related merchandise is prohibited in all university facilities, including within one's personal vehicle while on or inside university parking lots and garages, on all university grounds, whether leased or owned, and at university-sponsored events, regardless of the venue.
(3) Smoking or tobacco industry and related company sponsorship of athletic events and athletes is prohibited.
(B) Definitions
(1) "Tobacco" means all tobacco-derived or containing products, including, but not limited to, cigarettes (clove, bidis, kreteks), electronic cigarettes, cigars and cigarillos, hookah-smoked products, and oral tobacco (spit and spitless, smokeless, chew, snuff, snus).
(2) "University facilities" means any facility or property that is owned, leased, used or occupied by the university, including but not limited to: classrooms, restrooms, auditoriums, offices, lounges, dining areas, recreational facilities, parking lots, parking garages, rooftops, storage areas, service shops, walkways, enclosed bridges, thoroughfares, facilities operations areas, athletic facilities, extension locations, all university vehicles (owned or leased), and personally owned or rented vehicles when used to transport university faculty, staff or students on any school-related business, academic or student life activities.
(3) "Members of the university community" refers to anyone on campus including but not limited to faculty, staff, students, visitors, consultants, vendors, volunteers and contractor employees.
(4) "Smoking" means inhaling, exhaling, burning, or carrying, if intended for inhalation, any lighted or heated tobacco product or plant product, including cannabis. Smoking includes the use of electronic smoking devices and vapor products.
(5) "Electronic smoking device" means any device that can be used to deliver aerosolized or vaporized nicotine or any other substance to the person inhaling from the device including an electronic cigarette, electronic cigar, electronic hookah, vaping pen, or electronic pipe.
(6) "Vapor product" means a product, other than a cigarette or other tobacco product that contains or is made or derived from nicotine and that is intended and marketed for human consumption, including by smoking, inhaling, snorting, or sniffing.
(C) Exceptions and limitations
(1) Smoking or tobacco use may be permitted for controlled research with prior approval of the provost, and in the case of smoking, the review and recommendation of the department of environmental safety and health.
(2) Smoking or tobacco use may be permitted for educational, clinical, or religious ceremonial purposes with prior approval of the provost and in the case of smoking, the review and recommendation of the department of environmental safety and health.
(3) Smoking or tobacco use is permitted on primary public traffic and pedestrian thoroughfares as designated on the university non tobacco use boundaries map.
(4) Smoking or tobacco use may be permitted on properties the university owns, but leases or otherwise conveys an interest (e.g. an easement) to a non-university party for non-university purposes, according to the provisions of the applicable lease or agreement.
(5) Smoking or tobacco use in facilities that are not owned, leased, or controlled by the university, are subject to the non-tobacco policies applicable to those particular facilities, and are exempt from this regulation.
(6) FDA approved nicotine replacement therapy is permitted (e.g., patches, gum, inhalers, and lozenges).
(D) Compliance and enforcement
(1) The responsibility for the enforcement and communication of this policy depends on the thoughtfulness, consideration and cooperation of all members of the university community.
(2) University administration will develop administrative guidelines and procedures as necessary to implement this policy, including provisions for notification, communications, training, signage, complaint procedures, disciplinary consequences, and enforcement.
(E) Smoking and tobacco usage cessation
The university shall make available to faculty, staff and students comprehensive smoking and tobacco usage cessation programs including no cost or low cost counseling and medication based solutions.
Last updated November 5, 2026 at 12:00 AM