There is an increasing number of Queensland universities that are banning smoking or vaping within their campuses. The most recent one to join the ban is Griffith University, which will prohibit smoking or vaping on all its campuses, including its Mt Gravatt campus.
The no smoking initiative was approved by the University Council on 26 March 2018 and took full effect on 31 May 2018.
The ban is in line with the university’s obligation to provide staff and students with a safe and healthy environment. It is based it on evidence that smoke-free environments increase the rate of quitting and reduce the number of people taking up smoking.
Minister for Health and Minister for Ambulance Services Steven Miles said that the smoking ban in universities can protect the health of over 400,000 students and staff.
“Queensland has a strong track record in creating smoke-free public places, and new voluntary smoke-free policies are an important next step,” Minister Miles said.
Smoke-Free Campus
Students in Griffith University who have not quit smoking will have to go off-campus if they wish to smoke. The university is also reminding smokers that if they smoke off-campus, they should stay in remote areas to protect others from inhaling second-hand smoke.
The smoking initiative is being implemented throughout the campus via signages, posters and postcards, social media, emails, university events, and it is also communicated via orientation and induction programs.