Smoke free campuses

Smoking still remains a significant cause of preventable death and disease in Australia. Every year in Queensland 3700 smokers die from smoking-related diseases.

TAFE Queensland is supporting the health of our employees, students, contractors and visitors by being smoke free. There is clear evidence to show that smoke free environments increase the rate of quitting and reduce the number of people taking up smoking.

TAFE Queensland also has a legal responsibility to provide a safe workplace and to protect employees, students and visitors from the serious health risks associated with exposure to second-hand smoke.

We recognise that our employees, students and visitors have a personal choice to smoke, but we also recognise the right for employees and students who do not smoke to work and study in an environment free from tobacco smoke.

Smoking is not permitted anywhere within TAFE Queensland land, buildings, vehicles, facilities and other property owned or leased by or under the control of the organisation.

The smoke free policy relies on a community collective approach rather than enforcement. This community collective approach, coupled with consistent managing and signage, will support our people, students and visitors to feel empowered to remind people about the smoke free environments across our organisation.

We are not doing this alone. The smoke free policy being implemented at TAFE Queensland has been implemented at many other TAFE campuses across Australia. In Queensland, TAFE Queensland and all public universities are also being supported by the Queensland Government smoke free Higher Education and Training initiative to implement smoke free policies.

The Department of Health is working with higher education and training organisations to provide advice and support to implement measures to reduce smoking, including the creation of smoke free environments.

The smoke free higher education and training initiative is:

• supporting organisations to develop, implement and manage smoke free policies
• providing resources and support to promote smoke free policies and encourage staff and students to quit smoking
• providing free resources to support quitting, including online services and tailored counselling from Quitline.

All staff, students, visitors, volunteers and contractors who come on to TAFE Queensland campuses will need to adhere to the smoke free policy. This also includes the general public walking through our campuses.

Smoking is the inhalation and exhalation of the smoke of burning tobacco, herbs or drugs.

Smoking also refers to the use of electronic cigarettes or other devices. Examples include, but are not limited to electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes, e-cigars, vapour pens, or a personal vapour) or any product where there is a hand to mouth action that results in the expulsion of a vapour.

Any staff, student or visitor who smokes on a TAFE Queensland campus from 1 July, may be approached by staff, students or visitors and be reminded about our smoke free policy.

The success of this approach will depend on the thoughtfulness, consideration and cooperation of smokers and non-smokers. All students and staff share in the responsibility for helping TAFE Queensland campuses to be smoke free.

Transitioning to a smoke free campus requires respect for others — both non-smokers and smokers. You are encouraged to respectfully and politely remind smokers that they must go off campus if they wish to smoke. If you have a regular issue at a particular location, contact your local Workplace Health & Safety representative​ or facilities team.

Smoking is not permitted anywhere on TAFE Queensland campuses and sites. This includes all TAFE Queensland fleet vehicles, and all other motor vehicles while on campus.

Smokers will need to select an area outside the campus boundary to smoke. When choosing to leave the campus to smoke please ensure this location is safe and is well-lit at night. Also consider neighbouring properties and the environment when choosing to smoke off campus by using butt bins supplied.

Quitting smoking isn't easy, but with the right tools and support quitting is possible and can be one of the most life-changing achievements a person can make.

There are a number of tools, support organisations or apps that may assist you to quit smoking including:

• QuitCoach
• My QuitBuddy
• QuitNow
• Cancer Council Queensland.

Laws in Queensland include smoking bans for indoor and outdoor public places, as well as tough restrictions on the retail advertising, display and promotion of tobacco products.

These laws create a culture that:

• reduces exposure to second-hand smoke
• supports smokers trying to quit
• discourages young people from taking up the habit.

Research shows that young people are much less likely to take up smoking if their schools, homes and recreation areas are no-smoking areas. Efforts to help adults to quit smoking and reducing exposure to smoking in public places also sends a positive message to young people about not smoking.

Find out more about the tobacco laws in Queensland, including the requirements for food and drink businesses, outdoor public areas, and the rules about tobacco sales.

• Healthier. Happier. Workplaces
• Parliamentary Committee Report - "Inquiry into smoking and tobacco use at universities, technical and further education facilities, and registered training organisations". Report no 12. Education, Tourism, Innovation and Small Business Committee April 2016