No Smoking FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Question:  What is Cal Maritime's smoke and tobacco free policy and when does it take effect?

Answer:  Effective July 1, 2017, smoking is prohibited on university property, facilities, grounds, parking structures, private vehicles parked on university grounds, university-owned vehicles and structures owned or leased by the university.

Question: Who does the policy affect?

All university employees, students and visitors will be expected to adhere to the smoke and tobacco free policy while on Cal Maritime property.

Question: Will the policy remain in effect on weekends?

Answer: The smoke and tobacco-free policy is in effect 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Question: What does "smoke free" mean and what products are prohibited?

Answer: "Smoke Free" means the use of cigarettes, pipes, cigars and other "smoke" emanating products including e-cigarettes, clove cigarettes, vapor devices such as hookahs and other like products. "Smoking" means inhaling, exhaling, burning, or carrying a lighted or heated cigarette, cigar, pipe, cigarillo or other lighted or heated tobacco or plant product.

Question: What does "tobacco free" mean and what products are prohibited?

Answer: "Tobacco-Free" means the use of cigarettes, pipes, cigars, smokeless tobacco, snuffs, and other tobacco products. Any product , made or derived from tobacco or nicotine that is intended for human consumption, whether smoked, heated, chewed, absorbed, dissolved, inhaled, snorted, sniffed, or ingested by any other means is prohibited.

Question: Isn't this smoke and tobacco free policy a violation of my civil and constitutional rights?

Answer: There is no "right to smoke" under state or federal law. Cal Maritime has the authority to govern the use of university property and regulate its use. Smoking in public places produces secondhand smoke, which has been shown to harm others, even if they do not smoke. Eliminating smoking at Cal Maritime protects everyone from exposure to secondhand smoke while they are on campus. If someone wishes to smoke, they may freely do so off Cal Maritime property.

Question: Will there be designated smoking areas on campus?

Answer: No. Smoking and the use of tobacco products including electronic cigarettes are not allowed anywhere on campus property.

Question: Does the smoke and tobacoo-free policy apply to gatherings and events at outdoor stadiums and fields?

Answer: Yes. All events that take place on Cal Maritime property, including tailgate gatherings and outdoor events, still fall into the smoke-free zones.

Question: Does the smoke and tobacco-free policy apply to Training Ship Golden Bear (TSGB)?

Answer: No smoking will be allowed in any areas of TSGB while docked at Cal Maritime.

Question: Can I smoke inside the bathroom or inside the dorm?

Answer: No. existing laws prohibit any state employee or member of the public from smoking a tobacco product inside a state-owned or state-occupied building.

Question: Can I use tobacco in my own vehicle within the tobacco and smoke free zones?

Answer: No. Smoking, vaping, and the use of tobacco are prohibited in all vehicles (including personal and state-owned vehicles, whether parked or in motion) if the vehicle is located on campus property. This prohibition includes passenger vehicles and all other state-owned

Question: Is medical marijuana included in the policy?

Answer: Yes. Federal law overrides state law. Cal Maritime is an institution that supports financial aid (federal money) for students, therefore, Cal Maritime follows federal law. Medical marijuana cards are invalid at Cal Maritime.

Question: Are there policy exceptions?

Answer: The only exceptions to the smoke and tobacoo-free policy include: Smoking in university-sponsored theater and dance productions, showcases or workshops as part of the department of theater and dance season may be authorized by the Academic Dean. Smoking in Associated Students-sponsored performance may be authorized in writing by the Executive Director of the Associated Students. Notification to the President or Designee must be provided in advance of the performance.

Question: How is this policy different from the current policies about smoking and tobacco use?

Answer: Previously, those who wished to use tobacco products at Cal Maritime could do so outdoors, at least 20 feet away from any building entrance. This new policy further encourages health and wellness at Cal Maritime by completely prohibiting smoking on all Cal Maritime property.

Question: How will the policy change be communicated to faculty, staff, students and volunteers?

Answer: Every effort will be made to announce this policy using various Cal Maritime's media outlets, including e-mail messages, flyers and portal announcements. To view Executive Order 1108: Policy on Tobacco and Smoke-Free Environment in its entirety, visit the Smoke and Tobacco Free Cal Maritime website.

Question: How will campus visitors know that Cal Maritime is a smoke and tobacco-free institution?

Answer: Signage about our smoke and tobacco-free campus will be placed throughout Cal Maritime grounds and buildings beginning in May 2017.

Question: Have other universities implemented a smoke and tobacco-free campus?

Answer: Yes. There are over 1,000 colleges and universities nationwide that have enacted 100% a smoke and/or tobacco-free campus.

Question: How will this change make a positive difference at Cal Maritime?

Answer: Cal Maritime is committed to protecting the health and safety of university employees, students and visitors on the Cal Maritime main campus and ancillary campuses and properties. Creating a smoke and tobacco-free environment allows for a healthy, comfortable and productive living, learning and working environment.

Question: Will the University require people to quit using tobacco products?

Answer: No. Cal Maritime acknowledges that the use of tobacco products is a personal choice. However, the use of tobacco does not fit with the culture of health and wellness Cal Maritime encourages. Though some may choose to use tobacco products off campus, by not smoking on university property Cal Maritime can better protect those who choose not to smoke from the effects of secondhand smoke, as well as help those who are trying to quit tobacco.

Question: What resources are available to help those who want to quit tobacco?

Answer: A smoker who wishes to quit can increase his/her chances of success by using available resources such as those listed on our Smoke and Tobacco Free Cal Maritime website

Question: Is there a plan to handle employees and students who travel to the nearest off-campus sidewalk, street, or building to smoke?

Answer: We ask Cal Maritime employees, students and visitors to be courteous when going off campus to smoke by disposing of tobacco products and packaging in appropriate receptacles and being aware of others nearby who may not wish to be exposed to secondhand smoke.

Question: How will the policy be enforced and by whom?

Answer: Initially, Cal Maritime community members are asked to help create a smoke and tobacco-free environment using community enforcement. Community enforcement relies on individuals to educate one another about the smoke and tobacco-free policy at Cal Maritime. Success of the policy will rely on the respect, consideration and cooperation of all Cal Maritime students, faculty, staff, and visitors. Police Services shall reserve all enforcement authority with regards to any violation of existing state and federal law.

Question: What are the consequences for people who violate the smoke and tobacco-free policy?

Answer: Students and employees are required to abide by all university policies in their day-to-day activities at Cal Maritime. If a student or an employee violates this policy, they may face disciplinary action.

Question: What should I do if I see someone smoking or using other tobacco products?

Answer: Report violations of students to the Commandant's Office. Report violations of faculty and staff to the Department of Human Resources. DO NOT call 911. DO NOT call Police Services.

Question: Can I use money I put in my HCRA to pay for costs related to smoking cessation aids and counseling that are not covered by Insurance?

Answer: For faculty and staff, money set aside in your health care reimbursement account can be used for your out-of-pocket expenses toward smoking cessation paraphernalia including counseling with a doctor's prescription.

Question: Who should I contact for questions and concerns?

Answer: Students should contact the Student Health Center for questions or concerns related to smoking. Faculty and staff should contact the Department of Human Resources. However, students, faculty and staff should contact the Department of Human Resources with questions related to the policy and/or to express concerns about interactions with colleagues.