In line with trends worldwide relating to smoking in public places, the university has implemented a new campus-wide policy to create a smoke-free environment on the academic campus. This policy is developed to comply with UAE Federal Law and to protect the AUS community from exposure to passive or secondhand smoke.

Prohibiting smoking will help educate the campus community of the danger of smoking and will encourage members of the AUS community to cease using tobacco altogether. The policy also aims to keep the campus clean. Hence, despite the effort to provide receptacles, some smokers continue to extinguish their cigarettes on buildings and drop the cigarette butts on the ground, leading to permanent disfiguration of buildings.

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to maintain a healthy environment at AUS, to protect all AUS community members from second-hand smoke and to reduce the harm caused to individuals by smoking.

Scope

This policy will apply to all faculty, staff, dependents, students, contractors, vendors and visitors.

Policy Statement

Smoking will be prohibited in the entire AUS campus including the following locations:

• inside all academic building and student housing
• in areas including the plaza and around buildings
• all indoor and outdoor athletic venues and facilities
• during public events using AUS facilities, grounds and properties (all organizers and attendees should abide by this policy and organizers are responsible for communicating it to attendees)

For the purpose of this policy, "smoking" refers to inhaling or exhaling, burning, carrying or processing any lighted tobacco products, such as cigars, cigarettes and electronic cigarettes that emit smoke/vaping.

Smoking Cessation

We encourage all members of the AUS community to cease smoking, and the University Health Center is ready to assist any AUS member who decides to give up smoking. In addition, the Clinical Counselor can help students in this regard.

Roles and Responsibilities

All members of AUS community and AUS Security are responsible for the enforcement and communication of this policy. Reponsibilities include:

• complying with the policy and communicate it to others
• cooperating to make our campus smoke free and litter free
• protecting nonsmokers from being passive smokers
• maintaining a healthy environment throughout the campus

AUS Security will monitor compliance and fine those who do not comply.

Sanctions

Violation of the smoking policy will result in fines according to the AUS fine system, starting at AED 50. Students reported for repetitive violations will be handled by Judicial Affairs. Faculty and staff violations will be addressed by Human Resources.

Click here to download the AUS Smoke-Free Campus Policy.

For any clarification, feel free to contact: