Procedure overview
1 Purpose
To maintain a healthy environment at University of Southern Queensland by making all University grounds and premises smoke-free including vaping and e-cigarettes.
This procedure aligns with:
- Tobacco and Other Smoking Product Act 1998 (Qld)
- Tobacco and Other Smoking Products and Other Legislation Amendment Regulation 2025
- Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Qld).
The University is committed to ensuring a safe and healthy environment for Employees, Students, Contractors, and Visitors, and managing the Risk in accordance with Work Health and Safety (WHS) legislation.
2 Scope
This procedure applies to all University Employees, Students, Contractors, and Visitors across all campuses.
3 Procedure Overview
This procedure states that Smoking, vaping, and the use of e-cigarettes are not permitted on any University campus, property or in a University vehicle.
4 Procedures
4.1 Smoke-free environment
Smoking and vaping are not permitted anywhere on University property including all campuses, owned or leased premises, land or vehicles, Research facilities, carparks, sporting facilities and ovals and undercover areas.
Campus maps show the boundaries of University property for this purpose.
The University will ensure that appropriate entrances to University campuses are adequately signed indicating the University's smoke-free status.
4.2 Support to Quit
The University will provide Employees and Students with access to appropriate Information, support and resources to reduce or quit smoking or vaping.
4.3 Compliance
All University workers are expected to support a respectful, smoke-free environment by complying with this procedure.
- Smoking and vaping are not permitted on University property, and individuals found Smoking or vaping should be reminded of the procedure and asked to relocate off campus if they wish to continue.
- Persistent non-compliance may lead to formal warnings or Disciplinary Action in accordance with relevant University policies.
- Supervisors and Campus Security are responsible for monitoring compliance and addressing breaches.
- Queensland Health is the regulator for tobacco and vaping laws in Queensland under the Tobacco and Other Smoking Products Act 1998 (Qld).
- Queensland Health may contact the University directly if they receive a Complaint about Smoking or vaping on University property.
4.4 Monitoring and Review
Compliance with this procedure will be monitored through campus safety audits, incident reporting and regular patrols by Campus Security.
5 References
Nil.
6 Schedules
This procedure must be read in conjunction with its subordinate schedules as provided in the table below.
7 Procedure Information
| Accountable Officer | Chief People Officer |
| Responsible Officer | Director (Health, Safety and Wellbeing) |
| Policy Type | University Procedure |
| Policy Suite | |
| Subordinate Schedules | |
| Approved Date | 26/6/2026 |
| Effective Date | 26/6/2026 |
| Review Date | 26/6/2031 |
| Relevant Legislation | Tobacco and Other Smoking Products Act 1998 (Qld) Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Qld) Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (Qld) Tobacco and Other Smoking Products and Other Legislation Amendment Regulation 2025 Managing the Work Environment and Facilities Code of Practice 2021 |
| Policy Exceptions | |
| Related Policies | Environmental Management Policy and Procedure Hire of Facilities Policy and Procedure |
| Related Procedures | Motor Vehicles and Travel Fatigue Procedure Student General Misconduct Procedure Student Grievance Resolution Procedure Visitors on University Sites Procedure Work Health and Safety Assurance and Compliance Procedure |
| Related forms, publications and websites | |
| Definitions | Terms defined in the Definitions Dictionary |
| A Complaint is an “expression of dissatisfaction made to or about the University, related to its products, services, staff or the handling of a complaint, where a response or resolution is explicitly or implicitly expected or legally required”....moreA Complaint is an “expression of dissatisfaction made to or about the University, related to its products, services, staff or the handling of a complaint, where a response or resolution is explicitly or implicitly expected or legally required”. Action by the University to discipline an Employee for misconduct or serious misconduct and includes: formal censure or counselling; demotion by one or more classification levels or increments; withholding of an increment; suspension with or without pay; or termination of employment for serious misconduct only....moreAction by the University to discipline an Employee for misconduct or serious misconduct and includes: formal censure or counselling; demotion by one or more classification levels or increments; withholding of an increment; suspension with or without pay; or termination of employment for serious misconduct only. A person employed by the University and whose conditions of employment are covered by the Enterprise Agreement and includes persons employed on a continuing, fixed term or casual basis. Employees also include senior Employees whose conditions of employment are covered by a written agreement or contract with the University....moreA person employed by the University and whose conditions of employment are covered by the Enterprise Agreement and includes persons employed on a continuing, fixed term or casual basis. Employees also include senior Employees whose conditions of employment are covered by a written agreement or contract with the University. Any collection of data that is processed, analysed, interpreted, organised, classified or communicated in order to serve a useful purpose, present facts or represent knowledge in any medium or form. This includes presentation in electronic (digital), print, audio, video, image, graphical, cartographic, physical sample, textual or numerical form....moreAny collection of data that is processed, analysed, interpreted, organised, classified or communicated in order to serve a useful purpose, present facts or represent knowledge in any medium or form. This includes presentation in electronic (digital), print, audio, video, image, graphical, cartographic, physical sample, textual or numerical form. Research is the creation of new knowledge and/or the use of existing knowledge in a new and creative way to generate new concepts, methodologies, inventions and understandings. This could include the synthesis and analysis of previous research to the extent that it is new and creative....moreResearch is the creation of new knowledge and/or the use of existing knowledge in a new and creative way to generate new concepts, methodologies, inventions and understandings. This could include the synthesis and analysis of previous research to the extent that it is new and creative. The effect of uncertainty on objectives....moreThe effect of uncertainty on objectives. 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 include but are not limited to e-cigarettes, e-cigars, vapour pens, or a personal vapour and includes any product where there is a hand to mouth action and/or results in the expulsion of a vapour. Source: Adapted ...moreThe 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 include but are not limited to e-cigarettes, e-cigars, vapour pens, or a personal vapour and includes any product where there is a hand to mouth action and/or results in the expulsion of a vapour. Source: Adapted from Queensland University of Technology and the Tobacco and Other Smoking Products Act 1998 (Qld). A person who is enrolled in a UniSQ Upskill Course or who is admitted to an Award Program or Non-Award Program offered by the University and is: currently enrolled in one or more Courses or study units; or not currently enrolled but is on an approved Leave of Absence or whose admission has not been cancelled....moreA person who is enrolled in a UniSQ Upskill Course or who is admitted to an Award Program or Non-Award Program offered by the University and is: currently enrolled in one or more Courses or study units; or not currently enrolled but is on an approved Leave of Absence or whose admission has not been cancelled. The term 'University' or 'UniSQ' means the University of Southern Queensland....moreThe term 'University' or 'UniSQ' means the University of Southern Queensland. | |
| Definitions that relate to this procedure only | |
| Visitor Includes anyone not employed or studying at the University, or any other persons, whilst they are present at, or in, a University campus, property or vehicle. | |
| Keywords | Smoking, compliance, quitting, drugs |
| Record No | 13/439PL |