No Smoking at Griffith
Griffith University is committed to a smoke-free environment and is proud to maintain a policy of no smoking on all campuses since May 2018. This policy includes e-cigarettes, personal vaping devices, and all smoking products. It applies to all staff, unpaid appointments, students, contractors, volunteers, and visitors while undertaking activities at/for the university on all campuses, in any outdoor areas under the university’s control (including car parks and roads), and in all university vehicles.
This policy aligns with the University’s commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and reflects our dedication to fostering a healthier and cleaner campus for all students, faculty, staff, and visitors. By implementing this policy, we aim to provide a conducive atmosphere for learning, working, and socialising, while also prioritising the well-being of our community members.
There is clear evidence to show that smoke-free environments increase the rate of quitting and reduce the number of people taking up smoking. Griffith University is proud to be a part of the broader commitment by all Queensland universities to provide healthier smoke-free environments.
We have a legal responsibility to provide a safe workplace and to protect staff, students and visitors from the serious health risks associated with exposure to second-hand smoke (passive smoking). Griffith University offers free cessation programs for staff and students wishing to quit smoking, these are offered below.
Sustainable Development Goals
Our No Smoking Policy ensures our compliance with Queensland’s strict smoke-free legislation and our entirely smoke-free campuses are aligned with our commitment to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals driving good health and well-being for all.
Quitting smoking or vaping can be difficult, but support is available.
Quitline at 13QUIT (13 78 48) is a free and confidential service that provides advice and assistance tailored to your particular needs. Trained counselors are available 7 days a week to offer support and encouragement.
Doctors, pharmacists and other health professionals can provide advice on replacement therapy and other treatments. You can also find additional support and information through:
Quitting smoking or vaping can be difficult, but support is available.
Quitline at 13QUIT (13 78 48) is a free and confidential service that provides advice and assistance tailored to your particular needs. Trained counselors are available 7 days a week to offer support and encouragement.
Doctors, pharmacists and other health professionals can provide advice on replacement therapy and other treatments. You can also find additional support and information through:
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The No Smoking Initiative Guide for Managers and Supervisors can be used to guide conversations around the no smoking policy at Griffith campuses. This guide includes a number useful resources that can be recommended to staff.
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To assist in communicating the No Smoking message to students, please add this No Smoking Initiative Powerpoint Slide to Lecture Slides.
When did the University become a no smoking environment?
University Council approved the no smoking initiative on 26 March 2018. Griffith University campuses will become totally no smoking environments from 31 May 2018.
Why are we a no smoking University?
Through our research, education and training, we are proud to be contributing to our future community and business leaders that can positively influence future generations of people in the workforce. We therefore have an obligation to our staff and students to provide them with a safe and healthy environment in which to study and work. This decision further supports and promotes the health and wellbeing of the entire Griffith Community.
There is clear evidence to show that smoke-free environments increase the rate of quitting and reduce the number of people taking up smoking. This is part of a broader commitment by all Queensland universities to provide healthier smoke-free environments
We recognise that our staff, students and visitors have a personal choice to smoke, but we recognise the right for staff and students who do not smoke to work and study in an environment free from tobacco smoke.
Additionally, we have a legal responsibility to provide a safe workplace and to protect staff, students and visitors from the serious health risks associated with exposure to second-hand smoke (passive smoking).
What is the definition of “smoking”?
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. Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes, e-cigars, vapour pens, or a personal vaporiser) are any product where there is a hand to mouth action and results in the expulsion of a vapour.
Is second-hand smoke really harmful?
Medical evidence is irrefutable that second-hand smoke (passive smoke) causes serious diseases and harm to others, including non-smokers. There are links to relevant research on a range of sites including, the International Agency for Research of Cancer (IARC) and the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Have other universities gone smoke-free?
Yes. The no smoking policy implemented at Griffith has been implemented at many other Australian universities. In Queensland, some universities are already smoke-free and by the end of 2018, all Queensland universities and TAFEs will be smoke-free.
Where can I smoke?
If you wish to smoke, you will need to go off-campus. The no smoking policy has been changed to indicate smoking is not permitted on Griffith University grounds. This includes all buildings (including leased spaces), grounds, car parks and vehicles. Please check the campus maps below for further clarification.
We strongly recommend that when smokers move off-site they chose an area that is not remote, is safe and is well lit at night.
Note that previous designated smoking areas have been removed and these will be repurposed.
Who is affected by the new no smoking policy?
All staff, students, visitors, volunteers and contractors who come on to Griffith University campuses will need to adhere to the no smoking policy. This also includes the general public walking through our campuses.
What about University residential facilities?
As the student residents are on University grounds they will be captured by the no smoking policy and smoking is not permitted.
What support is available to staff and students that wish to stop smoking?
Quitting smoking isn’t easy, but with the right tools and support, quitting smoking is possible and can be one of the most life-changing achievements a person can make.
The University actively supports staff and students who want to stop smoking. For further information about support to quit smoking for staff and students please click on the "Support for Staff" and "Support for Students" tabs found on this webpage.
What happens if I continue to smoke?
Any staff member, student or visitor who smokes on a Griffth University campus or controlled site may be approached by staff, students or campus security and reminded about our no smoking policy.
What happens if I refuse to stop smoking?
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 Griffith University campuses to go smoke-free and contribute to the health and wellbeing of everyone in our community.
Who will be policing this initiative?
In creating a healthier University environment, Griffith encourages all staff, students and visitors to be part of a positive culture change. Transitioning to smoke free environments requires respect for others – both non-smokers and smokers.
Staff, students, visitors and contractors smoking on campus can expect to be reminded of the no smoking initiative by others and requested to either discontinue smoking or to move off campus if they wish to continue smoking.
An educative and supportive approach will be embraced by the university, with a view to providing information about the no smoking policy and campus boundaries to those who continue to smoke on university grounds.
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 Griffith University to be smoke free
What should I do if I see someone smoking on campus?
We hope that respect for others will guide all of us during the transition towards smoke-free sites. Staff, students and visitors may play a role in Griffith’s no smoking initiative by drawing attention to the no smoking policy if people continue to smoke. However, this can be a difficult conversation to have. If you're unsure how to have the conversation with someone smoking, you can refer to the signs on campus, or use the following tips to guide you:
- Always remember that smoking is an addiction; sometimes smoking is associated with stress or an addiction to nicotine so it's important to be mindful of this when explaining the policy.
- Smile, introduce yourself and politely tell the person that the University is no smoking environment.
- Respectfully request the smoker to either put out the cigarette safely or move to an area off campus if they wish to keep smoking.
- If the person complies, remember to thank them. If the person becomes angry or confrontational, excuse yourself and report the incident to Security.
- If you find you have a regular issue at a particular location, contact Security.
What about the rights of smokers?
The policy is about where people can smoke so that their smoke doesn’t cause discomfort and harm to others. Non-smokers have a right to breathe clean air that is not contaminated by carcinogens and other harmful substances in tobacco smoke.
Hand-in-hand with this, Griffith encourages those who smoke to seriously consider the adverse health effects to themselves. There are a range of supports available if you choose to quit smoking.
How is the no smoking initiative being communicated?
Implementation of Griffith’s no smoking initiative is important and a variety of methods will be used to raise awareness, including:
- Signage
- No smoking materials such as posters and postcards
- Social media, bulletin items and emails to students and staff
- Pre-arrival information for new students and staff, as well as information via orientation and induction programs, and relevant university events
- Direct emails from our Vice Chancellor
Contact us
Health, Safety and Wellbeing General Enquiries
Health, Safety and Wellbeing are the first point of contact for university staff for all general health and safety enquiries including those related to training, first aid, risk management, wellbeing, and injury and disability support.
