University of Helsinki
“Towards a tobacco-free academic community. Our University will work towards a non-smoking environment.” This was the decisions of the University’s Cooperation Committee at the beginning of 2012 in response to a proposal by the occupational health and safety committees concerning a smoke-free University. The non-smoking policy will apply to the academic community as a whole, including both staff and students.
The non-smoking policy will be adopted during the academic year 2012–2013. After the launching of the policy smoking (normal and electronic cigarettes) will be forbidden in all University facilities and permitted only in designated areas outside University buildings. Areas designated for smoking will be located, with signs, at an appropriate distance from buildings to ensure that tobacco smoke does not enter the buildings. Smoking areas will be indicated on campus maps, and any changes will be reported on each campus. All University events will also be smoke-free.
After a tentative launch of the non-smoking policy last spring, the Kumpula Campus has removed established smoking areas which were unofficial or close to the main entrances.
On the City Centre Campus, areas previously used for smoking on the stairs outside the Main Building on Unioninkatu and in the immediate vicinity of the Fabianinkatu entrance were designated smoke-free. Waste bins incorporating ash trays at the entrance to the Porthania building were also moved closer to the street.
Want to know more about the smoke-free university? Ask Pirjo Kekäläinen, Occupational Safety Officer, Tel. 09 191 22257