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Wednesday, May 24, 2023

From the Vice President for Student Affairs

Posted: Thursday, May 18, 2023

Smoke-Free, Tobacco-Free, and Cannabis-Free Campus Policy Update Takes Effect July 1

In March 2022, the Smoking Task Force that was convened in 2021 by President Conway-Turner shared a draft policy with the Buffalo State College Senate and United Students Government for feedback. After feedback was received from those bodies, the policy was shared on multiple occasions with the collective bargaining units of the campus. This policy was also reviewed by SUNY Counsel to ensure that it was compliant with SUNY-wide policy. The result of the effort is an updated policy, in effect July 1, 2023, that addresses chewing tobacco, cigarettes (traditional and electronic), vaping, and changes to NYS cannabis law. The policy has been updated (PDF, 210 KB) and can be found in the Administrative Policy Library.

The goal of this revised policy is to continue to support a safe and healthy campus community. Beginning this summer, the clarity that this new policy provides will be shared with students, faculty, and staff through orientations and electronic and physical outreach. As the campus community returns in full for the 2023–2024 academic year, Weigel Health Promotions will be providing programs, mobile outreach, and web resources to support compliance with the policy. 

Compliance with the policy is covered by the Student Code of Conduct and the Administrative Policy Library for faculty and staff members. The University Police Department is unable to issue citations for violations but is available to assist if the situation warrants.

Should you have concerns about behavior that is not in compliance with the policy as it relates to students, a report can be filed online.

Should the concern be related to compliance involving members of the staff or faculty, please contact Human Resource Management at (716) 878-4822.

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