As we enter a new academic year, we would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone of the requirements of the BU No Smoking Policy.
BU has banned smoking - including the use of electronic cigarettes and vaping - in all entrances and within five metres of all our university buildings. This measure is intended to protect staff and students from both the potentially harmful effects and adverse odours of passive smoke and to prevent smoke drifting into buildings through open windows and doors, which can cause discomfort to occupants. ‘No Smoking Signs’ are also located within all buildings and external cigarette bins removed from building entrances.
As we head towards colder weather, we also tend to see an increase in staff and student smokers congregating within doorways, and in particular under the all-weather canopies both to the rear of Poole House and also within the courtyard of the Sir Michael Cobham Library as well as the covered areas to the rear of Bournemouth House. It is important to note that these are not designated smoking areas.
It’s also important to be aware that the discarding of cigarette butts is also considered ‘littering’ and that Enforcement Officers from Bournemouth Borough Council are currently actively tackling and fining individuals around Lansdowne Campus buildings, where they have witnessed such practices.
BU appreciates that the vast majority of staff and students who smoke understand the reason for the five metre ‘no smoking zone’ and act accordingly. The day to day responsibility for compliance with this policy rests with all staff, students and members of the university, who are empowered to raise this with any person/s they find disregarding this policy. However if it proves necessary, BU will use the relevant staff and student disciplinary measures, where there is evidence that the BU No Smoking Policy is being disregarded.
