Smoking on University and College Campuses

What Is a “Campus” Under the Law?

British Columbia is unique in that its Tobacco Control Regulation explicitly defines “campus” for public post-secondary institutions [citation:1]. According to B.C. Reg. 232/2007, “campus” means property that is:

• Owned or leased by, or operated under the authority of, a public university or other public post-secondary institution
• Used primarily for delivering educational programs, research, providing student services, or services by affiliated student organizations
• Includes real property, improvements, personal property, and common areas between improvements [citation:1]

This legal definition matters because it establishes that smoking restrictions on campus apply not just to buildings but to all associated property — including parking lots, walkways, green spaces, and common areas between buildings [citation:1].

Summary of Canadian University Smoking Policies

Most Canadian universities have adopted 100% smoke-free campus policies that prohibit smoking anywhere on university property — indoors and outdoors.

🏛️ Universities with Smoke-Free Campuses (Select Examples)

What Do Smoke-Free Campus Policies Include?

Most Canadian university smoke-free policies extend beyond just cigarettes to include a range of tobacco and nicotine products:

• All tobacco products — cigarettes, cigars, pipes, hookahs, and smokeless tobacco
• Electronic cigarettes and vapes — most policies explicitly include vaping devices
• Cannabis smoking — in provinces where cannabis is legal, smoking cannabis is generally treated the same as tobacco under campus policies
• All campus property — including buildings, parking lots, walkways, fields, and off-campus university-leased properties
• Personal vehicles — many policies prohibit smoking in personal vehicles parked on campus property

🚭 The Shift from Designated Smoking Areas

Many universities initially implemented “designated smoking areas” (DSAs) — specific outdoor locations where smoking was permitted. However, over time, most institutions have eliminated DSAs entirely in favor of 100% smoke-free campuses. For example:

• UVic removed its last designated smoking shelters in 2018
• UBC removed all DSAs when it went 100% smoke-free in 2019
• SFU similarly eliminated designated smoking areas as part of its smoke-free policy

Provincial Context and Legal Framework

While each university sets its own policy, provincial laws provide the baseline for smoking restrictions:

🇨🇦 British Columbia

BC’s Tobacco Control Act and Regulation explicitly address campus smoking. The regulation defines “campus” broadly and prohibits smoking in indoor public spaces and workplaces — which includes all indoor campus facilities [citation:1]. Many BC universities have gone further, implementing outdoor smoking bans that exceed provincial requirements.

🇨🇦 Other Provinces

In provinces without specific campus regulations, universities have voluntarily adopted smoke-free policies. These policies are enforced through university bylaws, codes of conduct, and provincial health legislation.

Enforcement: How Are These Policies Enforced?

Enforcement mechanisms vary by institution but typically include:

• Campus security: Security personnel have authority to ask individuals to stop smoking and, in some cases, issue warnings or fines
• Student conduct codes: Students who violate smoking policies may face disciplinary action under their institution’s code of conduct
• Employee policies: Staff and faculty are subject to workplace smoking policies, with potential disciplinary consequences
• Provincial fines: In provinces with applicable legislation, smoking in prohibited areas can result in provincial fines

College and Institute Policies

Canada’s colleges and technical institutes have similarly adopted smoke-free policies. While policies vary by institution, most major colleges are now 100% smoke-free:

• BCIT (British Columbia Institute of Technology): 100% smoke-free since 2019
• Seneca College (Ontario): Smoke-free since 2018
• George Brown College (Ontario): Smoke-free
• NAIT (Northern Alberta Institute of Technology): Smoke-free
• SAIT (Southern Alberta Institute of Technology): Smoke-free

Vaping and Electronic Cigarettes

Nearly all smoke-free campus policies explicitly include vaping devices. Whether you call it a vape, e-cigarette, JUUL, or vaporizer — if it produces an aerosol, it’s prohibited under campus tobacco policies.

• UBC explicitly includes “vaping and e-cigarettes” in its smoke-free policy
• UVic’s smoke-free policy applies to “all tobacco products and smoking devices”
• Many policies are framed as “smoke-free and vape-free” to emphasize inclusion

Tips for Smokers on Campus

• Check the policy before your first day: Most universities post their smoke-free policies online with clear maps of campus boundaries
• Identify “off-campus” smoking locations: The ban applies only to university property — public sidewalks adjacent to campus are typically exempt
• Residence rules differ: Even on smoke-free campuses, some residences may have designated outdoor smoking areas. Check with your residence life office
• Consider native cigarettes for affordability: If you’re a student on a budget, native cigarettes from Cigstore.ca cost $29-55 per carton — a fraction of commercial prices
• Plan your breaks: If you have back-to-back classes, you may not have time to leave campus. Consider using nicotine replacement (gum, lozenges) during long study sessions

How Policies Are Changing

The trend is clearly toward stricter, more comprehensive smoking bans. Key developments include:

• Elimination of designated areas: Fewer universities maintain designated smoking shelters
• Residence indoor smoking bans: Even where outdoor smoking is permitted, indoor smoking in student housing has been banned for years
• Cannabis integration: As cannabis legalization has progressed, policies have been updated to treat cannabis smoking identically to tobacco smoking
• Expanded definitions: Policies now explicitly cover e-cigarettes, vapes, and emerging nicotine products