General FAQ

The new policy is an important campus health and safety initiative. Anyone can access cessation support services by calling 1-800-NO-BUTTS.  Additional assistance to UC Merced students who wish to overcome addiction to tobacco products is available through:

Student Health Services
H. Rajender Reddy Health Center
health.ucmerced.edu
(209) 228-2273
 
UC Merced faculty and staff can access cessation support services through:
Human Resources
[Insert the link]

No. The policy does not require individuals to quit; however, the policy prohibits smoking and using tobacco products on all University controlled properties. In addition, the sale and advertising of tobacco and tobacco related products are prohibited at all UC-controlled properties.

Faculty, staff, and students who see individuals smoking on University properties may respectfully inform these individuals of the University policy prohibiting smoking/tobacco use anywhere on University properties.

Through the authority provided in California Government Code 7597.1, the governing bodies of the University of California have the authority, in establishing policy for smoking and tobacco use, to set enforcement standards at local campuses.  

Effective Jan. 1, 2014, the University of California is a smoke/tobacco-free university. Smoking areas or smoking shelters will not be designated on University property.

Smoking/use of tobacco is not permitted in your personal vehicle, whether parked or in motion, if the vehicle is located on UC property.

Neither smoking nor the use of tobacco products are permitted within the boundaries of the University of California controlled properties.  A detailed map of UC Merced [insert link to map] shows the UCM property boundaries. Note that Ranchers road is UCM property.

Smokeless tobacco spit is considered a biohazard and contains at least 24 carcinogenic chemicals.

Spit tobacco often creates unwanted hazardous waste and byproducts, which campus maintenance staff members then have to dispose of.

A dip of smokeless tobacco typically contains 3-5 times more nicotine than a cigarette. Research shows that smokers have difficulty switching from cigarettes to smokeless tobacco. Instead, many become dual users of both cigarettes and smokeless products – increasing the addiction.

Regulated refers to products that have gone through clinical trials and are recognized as approved cessation products by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to help individuals who use tobacco to quit.

E-cigarettes are not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as a tobacco cessation strategy. As an unregulated nicotine product, their use is prohibited on University property for the purposes of this policy.  However, other forms of approved nicotine replacement therapy such as gum and patches are allowed.