No smoking, vaping or tobacco products are allowed on CSU property, including all of our campuses, to comply with the state of Colorado executive order, and to reduce exposure to secondhand smoke and vaping aerosol. The university also supports tobacco users in quitting, reducing use and never starting.

To comply with State of Colorado executive order

In November 2018, Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper issued an executive order banning tobacco on all “grounds owned or leased by the state under the control of the executive branch.” The order also requires that the university post signs at building entrances and other obvious public areas stating that the sale and use of tobacco products, vaping products and e-cigarettes are prohibited in all buildings and on all grounds owned or leased by the state, except as otherwise provided in the executive order.

Reduce secondhand smoke and vaping aerosol exposure

Exposure to secondhand smoke from burning tobacco products causes disease and premature death among nonsmokers. There is no risk-free level of secondhand smoke, and even brief exposure can cause immediate harm. Secondhand exposure also includes exposure to vaping aerosol — the vaping smoke or cloud. It can contain potentially harmful substances, including nicotine, heavy metals like lead, volatile organize compounds and cancer-causing agents. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Support tobacco users in quitting and reducing use, and encouraging others to never start

Although there has been progress in reduction of cigarette use, the use of e-cigarettes and vaping has dramatically increased. In Colorado, almost 27 percent of high school students use e-cigarettes, the highest user rate for youth in the nation, and fewer youth believe vaping to be risky. In fall 2018, 30 percent of new, CSU incoming students used e-cigarettes before arriving on campus. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, policies that restrict tobacco use have been shown to help users quit and reduce use, as well as encourage never starting.

Courts have ruled that where smoker and non-smokers’ rights conflict, the right of the nonsmoker prevails. Smoking is not a protected activity under the U.S. or state constitutions, and smokers are not a protected class. See more: The Tobacco Control Legal Consortium.

A map of the university’s three primary campuses is here. The tobacco and vaping ban does apply to all university owned or controlled properties, in addition to the three primary campuses.

Yes, this applies to all university owned or controlled property. This includes all campuses, offices, satellite sites such as Extension, Ag Experiment Station, Forest Service offices, ARDEC, and other units. It also applies to property the university controls, which includes leased office spaces and grounds. The order applies as well to CSU Pueblo and CSU Global grounds and buildings.

University leadership and general counsel analyzed the order; the university is required to comply with it. The order was effective immediately when it was signed by the governor.

All tobacco products as well as vaping, regardless of whether or not the vape contains nicotine, are prohibited. This includes:

  • Cigarettes and cigars – including self-rolled
  • Pipes, hookas and water pipes
  • Electronic cigarettes
  • Vape pens
  • Bidis and Kreteks
  • Snus, snuff, chew and other smokeless tobacco

The executive order bans all tobacco use, including chewing, dipping or any other use, as well as smoking, which refers smoking tobacco or vaping, regardless of the contents of the vape. This also includes carrying these items in your hand when they are lit, because smoke or vape diffuses into the air.

The use or possession of marijuana has been and remains prohibited on campus. This includes smoking marijuana as well as edibles. For more information, see https://source.colostate.edu/marijuana-guidelines/.

The executive order applies to all university owned or controlled grounds.

There are two specific exceptions to the order. Those exceptions allow tobacco or smoking products to be on university grounds if they are the subject matter of a bona fide research project approved by the vice president for Research or designee. In addition, the ceremonial use of tobacco in connection with the practice of cultural activities by American Indians, as provided by the American Indian Religious Freedom Act, 42 U.S.C sections 1996 and 1996a, allows the use of ceremonial tobacco. All ceremonial use events must be scheduled in advance with Facilities Management or Environmental Health Services.

No, the Transit Center is subject to all city ordinances and guidelines that apply to public transit facilities. All Transfort transit facilities, benches and platforms are no smoking, vaping or tobacco areas, by city ordinance.

Anyone observing a violation of this policy may approach the person and politely remind them that CSU is tobacco-free. An online form is available for violation reporting, with follow up by Environmental Health Services staff. Students and employees are subject to corrective and disciplinary actions in accordance with the established policies and procedures of the university. Noncompliance by visitors and contractors will be referred to those hosting the visitor or to the contractor’s company.

There are no designated smoking areas on university owned or controlled property, and the executive order does not provide that option. Offering smoking areas also does not support a healthy environment. Concentrating smoke to a limited area only increases the health-related risks to those in or near the designated areas.

The university does recognize the challenges that this executive order presents to those who regularly use tobacco. While it does not require individuals to quit, students and employees can access assistance. Check out the list of quitting options available. In addition, individuals may want to consider short-term use of patches, gum, and other tools while on university property to help curb cravings.

No, all use of vapes or e-cigarettes are prohibited by the executive order. Vapes and e-cigarettes are not a safe alternative to traditional cigarettes and are not an FDA-approved method of quitting tobacco use.The smoke or cloud these items emit can contain potentially harmful substances, including nicotine, heavy metals like lead, volatile organic compounds and cancer-causing agents. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Marijuana vaporizers are nearly identical to nicotine vaporizers, and can be used to deliver very potent forms of marijuana. Any marijuana use on campus is prohibited and against federal law, which includes vaporizers.

For information on the city of Fort Collins’ smoking policy, please click here.

The university will place a number of receptacles around the perimeter of main campus spring 2019 so that those entering campus by foot, bike or skateboard can dispose of their tobacco products. It is the university’s expectation that these items won’t be disposed of on campus or be a source of litter. Cigarette butts are the most littered item in the world, including the United States. On campus, CSU Facilities Management estimates that they spend more than 12,000 hours cleaning up cigarette litter on campus each year and $164,000 in employee time.

Over the course of the Spring 2019 semester, there will be a series of communications informing students, employees and visitors about the policy change. This includes email, posters, table cards, digital screens, information cards for use in offices and at events, Collegian and Rocky Mountain Student Media ads, and employee interoffice postcards.  It also includes education for campus and college communicators and social media communicators to share the message; updating staff trainings; coverage in SOURCE, the Collegian, Coloradoan, CSU Life, KCSU, CTV, social media; informational tables; and a comprehensive update of CSU websites, correspondence, contracts and department event communications. A detailed list of websites, correspondence, contracts and department events communications being updated can be provided upon request.

Communications will include policy purpose, mention of infrastructure changes, and a reference to tobaccofree.colostate.edu for more information, health impacts, FAQs and quitting resources, when possible.