The new smoke free campus policy was passed by the NAIT Board of Governors in December 2008. The Board of Governors mandated that the new policy take effect on July 1, 2009.
The Board's decision arose out of a desire for a healthy, safe, clean and respectful learning environment for all of the Institute's stakeholders. They were further motivated to go with a complete smoking ban following concerns from staff and students who felt that the policy that existed at the time wasn’t working.
The Board explained that its decision was solely about promoting health and not was not intended to take away people’s choice to smoke.
Previous policy
The new smoke free campus policy is not the first of its kind to be undertaken by the institute.
The preceding Clean Air Environment Policy was implemented in 2005. While it didn’t allow smoking within 10 meters of entrances or air intakes systems or within three meters of bus shelters, it permited smoking in designated areas at NAIT.
Health hazard
Tobacco smoking is the leading cause of premature death and disability in Canada. In addition, second-hand tobacco smoke is a known carcinogen and a cause of lung cancer and heart disease. NAIT will help staff and students with effective education and smoking reduction programs designed to assist those who currently smoke and wish to quit.
Ask NAIT - Get answers to your questions online.
Phone: 780.471.6248
Toll free: 1.877.333.6248
Smoke Free Campus:
"I've been smoking for 39 years.
Smokers who want to abstain while on campus or quit totally can try Champix or just keep busy. Go for a walk when you feel like smoking. Brush your teeth. Drink lots of water.
I quit smoking for 2 months in Jan. 2008, but started again - it is very difficult to quit. I would like to quit smoking completely because of the monetary and personal cost - I lost my father to lung cancer."
- Dawn Dixon, Voice Services