Only in the zone

The harmful effects of second-hand smoke are well known, and there are numerous laws across Australia that prohibit smoking in public spaces. While some universities have adopted a zero-tolerance approach, a completely smoke-free campus also raises issues around the welfare of staff and students who choose to light up.

"As well as considering the rights of non-smokers to not be exposed to health risks, senior management recognised that staff, students and contractors on site choose to smoke during their breaks," says Senior Health and Safety Specialist in the Human Resources Unit (HRU) Tracey Todd. "At this point, the decision was made to provide safe designated smoking areas on campus grounds."

The implementation of designated smoking areas on campus required much planning and consultation with faculties and units whose staff and students smoke. "Staff go out for smoke breaks, so the challenge was how do we facilitate that for them – as well as safe spaces for students – while considering the non-smokers?

"We worked with an advisory group of smokers to get their opinion on the accessibility of the zones and whether or not they're appropriate. Security played a big role too – at the end of the day they're the people who have to monitor the campus and ask people to smoke only in the assigned spaces."

While the areas had to be accessible, they also needed to be well enough out of the way of non-smokers. The locations – marked out by green lines – adhere to existing laws and legal requirements for smoking areas, such as being well ventilated, away from air vents and pedestrian zones.

The safety and personal security needs of students and staff after hours were also taken into account. "Are the areas well-lit and in a security patrolled area? We don't want students or staff smoking in areas where they're potentially at risk, especially in the evening. And is there cover if it's raining? All these factors had to be considered."

While the new designated smoking areas provide a space for smokers, the university also supports and promotes free services for staff and students, such as counselling and the UTS health service, about quitting smoking.

So far, the biggest challenge has been communicating the existence of these smoking areas. Many students are still unaware that smoking is not allowed on most parts of the campus. Safety and Wellbeing welcome feedback from students and staff around the designated smoking areas, how they can be improved, and whether staff and students have found themselves exposed to any hazards.

"It's about achieving an appropriate balance for individuals who choose to do something that's not illegal and those who don't wish to be exposed to that health risk," says Todd.

Provided by University of Technology, Sydney