McMaster University is set to have a completely smoke-free campus starting January 2018, according to a Sept. 18 announcement made by the university.
According to the press release, the use of tobacco and all “oral smoking devices” will be prohibited.
To prepare students for the change, McMaster is carrying out a comprehensive program to help students and staff adapt to the new changes, according to the press release.
Wanda McKenna, McMaster’s assistant vice president and chief of human resources officer, told CBC News that cannabis would be included in the ban, but said there are other allowed forms such as pills.
A cross-campus group is responsible for the planning and implementation of the policy change, according to the press release.
The group includes students, faculty, and staff and other partners such as Hamilton Public Health Services.
According to the press release, for the first months after the policy takes effect, anyone found smoking will be asked to refrain from doing so, and will be referred to a cessation program.
Recently, the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) went smoke-free as of Sept. 1.
UPEI joins Holland College, Acadia University, Saint Mary’s University, Dalhousie University, Memorial University, and the Marine Institute as schools that have introduced smoke-free policies in Atlantic Canada.
Photo by Meagan Casalino
