Smoking in Non-Residential Buildings

I. Policy

It is the policy of the University of Pennsylvania that smoking is not permitted in nonresidential University buildings except in designated areas. There will be at least one (1) designated area per building for reasons of fire safety as well as to accommodate the needs of smokers unless a "smoke free" building is designated in accordance with provisions of this policy.

II. Designated Areas

It is the responsibility of Deans, Vice Presidents, and Resources Center Directors, or their designees, to designate Smoking Permitted Areas and to ensure that an adequate number of locations is assigned and equipped to accommodate the needs of smokers, taking into account the needs of persons with disabilities.*

It is also their responsibility to ensure that appropriate signs are posted in their buildings. Standardized signs are available through Physical Plant.

Classrooms: Consistent with a policy of no smoking except in designated areas, smoking is not permitted in classrooms.

Work Areas : Faculty and staff in fully enclosed private offices may designate their offices smoking or nonsmoking areas.

In deciding whether to designate work spaces shared by two(2) or more persons, as well as cubicles, as Smoking Permitted areas, an effort shall be made to accommodate individual preferences to the degree prudently possible. When requested, supervisors shall make a reasonable attempt to separate persons who smoke from those who do not. When such an accommodation is not possible, the preferences of the nonsmoker shall prevail.

Department heads may establish stricter guidelines for work areas with the approval of the appropriate Dean, Vice President, or Resource Center Director, provided there is at least one (1) Smoking Permitted area in every building, unless a "smoke free" building is designated in accordance with provisions of this policy.

Common Areas: Sections of lounges, lobbies, and eating locations may be designated as Smoking Permitted areas. Where duplicate facilities exist, one (1) of those spaces may be a permitted area in its entirety.

Restrooms: One (1) or more restrooms may be designated Smoking Permitted provided there are an adequate number of smoke-free restrooms in the buildings. There must be at least one (1) Smoking Permitted area per building that is not a restroom.

Other Areas: Except for laboratories and other areas where smoking is prohibited by regulations/code, any other space which is controlled by a school or administrative unit may be designated Smoking Permitted provided that the area is enclosed by floor to ceiling walls/partitions.

III. Designating a "Smoke free" Building

A building that is completely under the authority of a Dean, Vice President, or Resource Center Director may be designated "smoke free" upon the written approval of the respective Dean, Vice President or Resource Center Director. A building that is not completely under the authority of a Dean, Vice President, or Resource Center Director requires the written approval of either the Provost or the Senior Vice President based on reporting lines of authority. A building occupied by departments that report to the Provost as well as departments that report to the Senior Vice President require written approvals from both the Provost and Senior Vice President prior to that building being designated "smoke free."

IV. Enforcement

This policy relies on the thoughtfulness and consideration of smokers and nonsmokers as well as their cooperation in adhering to the specific arrangements in their work areas and in other University buildings. It is the responsibility of the University of Pennsylvania community to observe this policy and to direct those who are smoking to Smoking Permitted areas.

Concerns regarding the implementation of this policy should be referred to the immediate supervisor for resolution. If the matter cannot be resolved, it should be referred to OHR/Staff Relations or the appropriate Dean, Vice President or Resource Director.

* For the purposes of this policy, the term refers to physical impairments or conditions that limit individual mobility and any personal medical conditions that would be aggravated by the smoking of others.