Smoke-Free Policy

Policy Summary

The George Washington University ("GW" or "university") is dedicated to maintaining a safe and healthy work and academic environment, improving indoor and outdoor air quality, and promoting the comfort of university students, faculty, staff, and visitors. Research findings show that nicotine and tobacco use, including smoking, vaping, and exposure to secondhand smoke, can lead to negative effects on the body, including but not limited to the brain, heart, and lungs. In addition to causing direct health concerns, smoking or inhaling any tobacco or other smoking product may contribute to institutional costs, including the potential for fire damage, cleaning and maintenance costs, and costs associated with employee absenteeism, health care, and medical insurance.

GW promotes a smoke-free environment in all university-owned, leased, or controlled property, which includes outdoor spaces as well as public space that abuts buildings on the Foggy Bottom and Mount Vernon campuses, and university-owned or leased vehicles.

Related Regulations

• D.C. Restrictions on Tobacco Use (Foggy Bottom and Mount Vernon Campuses)
• Virginia Indoor Clean Air Act (All Virginia campuses)

Who is Governed by this Policy

• This policy applies to all university faculty, postdocs, staff, students, and other individuals and entities, including, but not limited to, affiliates and visitors (collectively, “GW Community Members”). 

Policy

Smoking or inhaling any tobacco or other smoking products, by any method, including, but not limited to, cigarettes, cigars, pipes, e-cigarettes, vapes, and hookah, is prohibited as follows:

1. In university-owned, leased, or controlled buildings;
2. In university-owned and leased vehicles;
3. In university parking garages and loading docks of university facilities;
4. In any university-owned or controlled outdoor space, including, but not limited to, Kogan Plaza, University Yard, and all athletic fields;
5. In public space that abuts buildings on the Foggy Bottom and Mount Vernon campuses;
6. Within a minimum of twenty-five feet of buildings used by the university on all Virginia campuses.

The university reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to designate certain areas where smoking is permitted on its campuses. Further, the possession of tobacco products by GW Community Members under the age of 21 is prohibited on any university-owned, leased, or controlled property on its campuses, consistent with local and state law.

The success of this policy depends on the thoughtfulness, consideration, and cooperation of smokers and non-smokers. It is the responsibility of all GW Community Members to comply with this policy. GW Community Members should inform visitors and service providers about this policy, as appropriate. This policy applies even in the absence of posted “No Smoking” signs. Any individual may voice objections to smoking in any smoke-free area without fear of retaliation.

Faculty and staff with questions or concerns about violations of this policy should contact their immediate supervisor, department head, their HR Business Partner, or the Faculty Affairs team within the Office of the Provost. Students with questions or concerns about violations of this policy should contact Conflict Education & Student Accountability.

Related Information

• Faculty Handbook
• Employee Handbook
• Code of Student Conduct
• Employee Drug and Alcohol Policy
• Non-Retaliation Policy

Contacts

Contact	Phone Number	Email Address
Human Resource Management and Development	202-994-8500	askhrmdgwu [dot] edu
Conflict Education & Student Accountability	202-994-6757	cesagwu [dot] edu
Campus Safety	202-994-6110
Office of the Provost, Faculty Affairs	202-994-6783	facultyaffairsgwu [dot] edu