Langara College provides a smoke-free environment for employees, students, and visitors. Smoking and vaping of tobacco or cannabis products is prohibited everywhere on campus.
Langara College's Smoke-Free Committee was formed in 2016 to explore options for regulating smoking on campus. The Committee took a fully consultative approach and invited students, faculty and staff to participate in a campus wide survey to better understand the effects of smoking on campus. Through an in-depth qualitative data analysis of the survey responses, the Committee determined that a smoke-free campus, complemented by resources and support, best aligns with our efforts to ensure the health and well-being of our community.
To access the Smoke-Free policy, please click here. The vision behind this policy is to eliminate exposure to second-hand smoke, maintain a cleaner, healthier campus, and provide support for students and employees who are trying to quit. Our policy applies to all visitors to campus as well as staff, students and faculty.
FAQs
1. What will happen to people smoking on campus?
a. We expect that everyone in our community will follow this policy as it is intended to be a positive step towards a healthier campus. All members of the Langara community are welcome to respectfully inform or remind others about the smoke-free policy.
2. Where can smokers go to smoke?
a. Smoking and vaping are prohibited everywhere on campus, including private vehicles on the premises. The City of Vancouver Health By-Law No. 9535 2.2(d) prohibits smoking in an enclosed, or partly enclosed shelter where people wait to board a vehicle for hire or public transit. Additionally, the City of Vancouver Park Board Smoking Regulation By-Law prohibits smoking in Vancouver parks and park areas including public golf courses.
3. How will I be able to smoke between classes/while working if there is nowhere I can smoke on campus?
a. We acknowledge this policy will impact some individuals and we encourage you to seek medical advice to help manage nicotine cravings during class and working hours. For more information, please contact Health Services or refer to our Resources section.
4. As a neighbour of the college, I’m concerned this policy may result in more smokers on my property. What steps are you taking to prevent this?
a. Langara College will monitor, through our facilities department, any litter that may be caused by this policy. We are hopeful our community will be respectful of our neighbours.
5. What services can I access to help me smoke less or quit smoking?
a. Staff and students can access the BC Smoking Cessation Program. The program is available to residents of BC who hold a social insurance number (SIN) and have registered in PharmaCare. The program provides either nicotine replacement therapy products or prescription smoking cessation drugs. The program can be accessed only once/year.
6. What about marijuana?
a. Smoking or vaping of tobacco or cannabis products is prohibited on campus.
7. What about ceremonial tobacco use?
a. The exemption to this policy is the ceremonial use of tobacco for a traditional indigenous cultural activity that is in accordance with Musqueam protocol.
8. What tobacco or marijuana or vaping products are prohibited by this policy?
a. Cigarette, e-cigarette, cigar, pipe, hookah or water pipe, and all forms of smokeless tobacco, marijuana.
9. Does this violate my Human Rights?
a. No, the Smoke-Free Policy prohibits smoking on College property, it does not restrict members of the College Community from smoking elsewhere. Smoking is not a characteristic protected by the BC Human Rights Code.
10. How was this policy created? Does it have support from the Langara community?
a. The Smoke-Free Committee, with the help of the Langara College Nursing students, made evidence-informed recommendations for policy development, based on survey data and in consideration of changing societal norms regarding smoking. The Smoke-Free Committee surveyed students and employees in February/March 2017 and the results showed that 74% of respondents strongly supported moving to a smoke-free campus.
11. How will the College support individuals who wish to reduce or stop their smoking?
a. Langara College will provide a list of resources to assist in smoking cessation. In addition, employees can contact the Employee and Family Assistance Program to obtain additional information on smoking cessation.
Resources