From 2011 EIT will "thank you for not smoking" anywhere on the main campus and the five regional learning centres.
EIT has adopted a policy to become totally smokefree "reflecting our commitment to providing an environment where people can flourish" says Chris Collins, the institute's Chief Executive.
"By offering a smokefree environment we are taking a leadership role in ensuring we provide a healthy environment to work and learn."
This policy has been developed through the evidence that in New Zealand, around 5,000 people per annum die from smoking related illnesses of which 400 of these die through passive smoking. EIT has decided its current policy was proving ineffective in combating the very real risks to non-smokers of passive smoking.
As a leading higher education provider in health sciences it is important for EIT to demonstrate leadership in significant public health issues.
With a smokefree campus, EIT will provide a healthier and cleaner environment where staff and students can thrive and take pride in the institute.
In recent times EIT has established policies to support non-smokers and smokefree education, including creating smokefree areas around doors, windows and balconies and within 10 metres of buildings as well as in the institute's vehicle fleet.
EIT is providing smoking cessation support in conjunction with the HBDHB. In particular students and staff can access smoking cessation support through the Health Centre service on campus including nicotine patches, gum and lozenges. According to international research and the New Zealand Smoking Cessation guidelines, these items combined provide a sound method to support the smoker to "kick the habit".
If people would like to lodge questions there is a discussion group available on the institute's facebook page (see www.facebook.com/eithawkesbay). "We aim to make this transition as positive as possible for all those who may be affected, so feedback and ideas are very helpful".
EIT is joining a lengthy list of other tertiary providers who are also becoming totally smokefree. These include Auckland University, University of Canterbury, Otago Polytechnic, Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology, Whitireia Polytechnic and several others.
Other supporters include the Hawke's Bay District Health Board, NZ Cancer Society and ASH (Action on Smoking and Health).
EIT SMOKEFREE CAMPUS
FAQs
Why is EIT implementing a smokefree campus policy?
There are a number of reasons as follows:
- Around 5,000 people a year die from smoking related illnesses of which 400 of these die through passive smoking. EIT has decided its current policy was proving ineffective in combating the very real risks to non smokers of passive smoking.
- As a recognized leader in health education it is important for EIT to demonstrate leadership in significant public health issues.
- With a smokefree campus EIT will provide a healthier and cleaner environment where staff and students can thrive and take pride.
- A smokefree campus is consistent with one of EIT's strategic priorities, to development an environment where people can flourish.
When will it take effect?
The new policy will take effect from 1 January 2011.
Where will it apply?
All EIT facilities and grounds, including those leased by EIT, will be smokefree. This includes the Regional Centers and the Student Village.
Who will it apply to?
The policy will apply to all members of the EIT community including staff, students, Council members, visitors and contractors. Staff inviting visitors onto the campus will be expected to advise them that EIT is smokefree.
Are any other tertiary institutions smokefree?
Yes, a number of tertiary educational institutions including; Otago Polytechnic, Canterbury University, Whitireia Polytechnic, NMIT, Bay of Plenty Polytechnic and Auckland University have already become or are in the process of becoming smokefree.
What kind of support will EIT provide to students and staff who are currently smokers?
For the remainder of 2010 EIT will provide staff and students with access to free quit-smoking support. The nurses at the EIT Student Health Centre provide quit-smoking education, support and a "Quitcard", which enables students and staff to obtain an 8-week supply of nicotine replacement patches and gum or lozenges for FREE. EIT will cover the cost of the 8-week replacement therapy. We will also provide support for staff and students in the Regional Centers.
Another option is the Quitline which is New Zealand's largest provider of help to quit-smoking. The Quitline offers free telephone support, resources and low cost nicotine patches, gum and lozenges to New Zealand residents.
To contact the Quitline call free 0800 778 778 or visit www.quit.org.nz
Won't the smokefree policy push smokers onto the street and give EIT a bad look?
We expect that this will happen to some extent but EIT has no authority over property owned by the Napier City Council. Staff and students who do smoke offsite will be asked to be considerate of other users of the pavements and roads, and to dispose of their cigarette butts in an appropriate and tidy manner to avoid littering.
Isn't the smokefree policy unfair on smokers?
We recognise that smoking is an addiction and we are not, through the implementation of the Smokefree Policy, saying that staff and students have to stop smoking. However, we are saying that from the beginning of 2011 people will not be able to smoke on EIT property.
How is EIT going to publicize the new policy?
There will be extensive publicity leading up to the introduction of the new policy. This will include the prospectus, enrolment material, online material and student handbook. The Smokefree policy will also be included in student and staff orientations. Tutors will also need to be proactive in discussing the smokefree policy and its implications during course orientation. Signage will be put in place towards the end of 2010 and cigarette butt holders will be removed.
Won't the policy be disruptive to teaching with some students needing to take time to walk to the road for a smoke between lectures?
Any disruption to classes will need to be addressed in the same way as other classroom management issues. If the issue becomes problematic, the Lecturer would need to talk to his/her Programme Coordinator or Head of School.
What can I do if I see someone smoking?
Remembering that the policy will take effect from 2011, a co-operative and informative approach is expected. From the beginning of 2011 if you see someone smoking on EIT premises or facilities, you should politely remind them that all EIT premises and facilities are smokefree and ask them to move offsite if they wish to continue. In effect the smokefree policy will be enforced by staff in the same manner as other policies.
In the unlikely event that a staff member or student persistently breaches the policy, the Head of School/manager should be advised. In these cases the normal disciplinary procedures would apply.
Why not have designated smoking sites?
Having designated smoking sites (such as gazebos, shelters or 'smoking posts') sends out a contradictory and conflicting message to smokers and would compromise EIT's commitment to a smokefree campus.
If I have any questions who can I talk to?
We have assembled a large project group to help implement the new policy. This group is made up of Col Grant (EITSA), Angela Houkamau (Faculty of Business and Computing), Bill Kimberley (Human Resources), Brenda Chapman (Marketing), Dick Hilton (Health and Safety), Gordon Reid (Faculty of Science and Technology and the TEU), Susan Jacobs (Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences), Tania Pattison (Te Manga Maori), Walt Rutgers (Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences), Di Reid (Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences) and Elaine Parker (Corporate Services and TIASA). Carleine Receveur from the DHB is also providing expertise and the DHB is providing additional resources.
If you have any questions or comments please feel free to talk to members of this group.
You can also e-mail Nianna Paku at NPaku@EIT.ac.nz in Human Resources who is the Project Administrator.
Susan Jacobs
Dean, Health and Sport Sciences
Bill Kimberley
Human Resources Director
SMOKEFREE CAMPUS POLICY
1. Rationale
From the beginning of 2011 EIT will implement a comprehensive smokefree policy which is based on the following principles:
- Around 5,000 people a year die from smoking related illnesses of which 400 of these die through passive smoking. EIT has decided its current policy was proving ineffective in combating the very real risks to non smokers of passive smoking.
- As a leading educator in health sciences it is important for EIT to demonstrate leadership in significant public health issues.
- With a smokefree campus EIT will provide a healthier and cleaner environment where staff and students can thrive and take pride.
- A smokefree campus is consistent with one of EIT's strategic priorities, to development an environment where people can flourish.
2. Definitions
- Campus means the campus and physical grounds owned or occupied by EIT.
- Person means all members of the EIT community including staff, students, Council members, visitors and contractors.
3. Policy
- All EIT campuses will be smokefree from the beginning of 2011. This means that from
1st January 2011 no person is permitted to smoke on any EIT Campus. - Smoking is not permitted in any vehicle owned or leased by EIT.
- Visitors who breach this Policy are subject to all reasonably practicable steps by EIT to ensure no person smokes on campus. Such steps may include a request for them to not smoke or to exclude them from any EIT campus.
- EIT supports smokefree education to be incorporated into the health curriculum.
- EIT prohibits the sale or marketing of tobacco products.
- EIT prohibits the receipt of funding or sponsorship from the tobacco industry.
In implementing this policy the primary emphasis will be on education and support. Where there are repeated breaches of the policy the provisions of existing disciplinary procedures will apply.