Academic Catalog

Tobacco-Free Campus

Approved by:  Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Corporation; Co-Provost and Senior Vice President 

History:  September 1, 2010 | Revised: October 9, 2012 | May 2022  | August 2024

Related Policies:  Employee Handbook 

Related Forms, Procedures and References: 

For Questions Contact:  Human Resources | 651.690.6565 | hr@stkate.edu

Purpose:  St. Catherine University is a smoke- and tobacco-free campus.  The purpose of the Tobacco-Free Campus Policy is to improve health by promoting tobacco use cessation. Knowing that smoking has a significant negative impact on the health and wellbeing of smokers and non-smokers alike, this policy prohibits smoking and the use of all tobacco and tobacco substitute products.

Scope:  The policy is applicable to all University owned, rented, or leased facilities, outside property and grounds, university vehicles, private vehicles while on University grounds, employee work spaces, and University sponsored educational events/conferences at either on-campus or off-campus sites, and applies to all persons, including students, faculty, staff, administrators, outside contractors and the general public.  

Definitions:  Use of tobacco and tobacco substitute products is defined as: the act of vaping, or lighting, smoking, holding or carrying a lit or smoldering cigar, cigarette or pipe of any kind, or using smoke-less tobacco or an electronic cigarette.

Policy Statement:  

Smoking, distributing, selling, advertising, and the use of tobacco and tobacco substitute products is prohibited at all times:

  • in all space owned, rented, or leased by the University;
  • on all outside property or grounds of the University;
  • in all vehicles owned or leased by the University;
  • in private vehicles while they are on University grounds; and
  • at University sponsored educational events/conferences at on campus or off campus sites.

Exceptions: 

Smoking or use of tobacco or tobacco substitute products will be permitted only in these situations:

  • Recognizing the sacred relationship that exists between tobacco and American Indian ceremonial activities and beliefs, the Tobacco-Free campus Policy does not apply to specific activities when tobacco is used in connection with the practice of cultural activities including those of American Indians that are in accordance with the American Indian Religious Freedom Act, 42 U.S.C. sections 1996 and 1996a. All ceremonial use must be approved in advance by the appropriate Vice President of the University or that individual’s designee.

  • Theatrical productions where performers are permitted to use tobacco as part of the theatrical performance must be approved in advance by the appropriate Vice President of the University or that individual’s designee.

Policy Authority:  The Senior Vice President and CFO and Director of Human Resources have responsibility for this policy and will obtain necessary approvals and changes to this policy.