Smoking and Nicotine

Office of Origin: Human Resources     
Responsibility: Executive Director, Human Resources
Original Date Adopted: 7-1-92
Dates Reviewed: 1-21-14, 7-13-18, 1-12-22 (C)
Last Date Board Approved: 9-25-18  

Smoking and the use of nicotine on all Lake Michigan College (the College) campuses is prohibited except in personal vehicles and designated exterior smoking areas only. This applies to any property owned or maintained by the College, including inside all buildings (including Beckwith Hall), exterior open spaces except where designated, sidewalks, recreational spaces, vehicles owned or leased by the College, and parking lots (except in personal vehicles.) 

This policy applies to employees, students, visitors as well as consultants, and contractors and their employees. 

Smoking is defined as, but not limited to:

  • lighting, smoking, or carrying a lighted or smoldering cigar, cigarette, or pipe of any kind
  • use of any product intended to mimic tobacco products, containing tobacco flavoring, or delivering nicotine other than for purposes of cessation. 
  • use of smokeless tobacco, which includes chewing tobacco, dipping tobacco (dip), snuff, nasal tobacco (snus) and/or any other variation of smokeless tobacco product.
  • use of electronic or mechanical nicotine delivery systems and vaping, including electronic cigarettes, pipes, cigars, and atomizers or mechanical devices such as mechanical personal vaporizers (MPVs) that use mechanical magnetic switches for activation. While the College recognizes that these products may not contain tobacco, their use looks similar to regular tobacco products and therefore gives the appearance of smoking.

Smoking as defined above or the use of tobacco products in any form is only permitted on stage as part of a theatrical production.

In accordance with the Drug Free Workplace/Drug & Alcohol Abuse Prevention Program policy, smoking any controlled substance on College premises is prohibited and will constitute grounds for discipline, up to and including termination and referral for prosecution.

Cessation

The College is committed to supporting individuals to become nicotine free. Nicotine replacement therapy products (e.g., nicotine patches, gum) for the purpose of cessation are permitted provided they do not give the appearance of smoking. Employees may contact Human Resources for information on available cessation programs.

References: Drug Free Workplace/Drug & Alcohol Abuse Prevention Program policy