Join us in becoming smoke free
In the interest of public health, the University of South Australia officially became smoke free from 31 May 2014, World No Tobacco Day.
The health and wellbeing of staff and students is important to the University, therefore we are committed to providing a safe and enjoyable learning and work environment. Becoming a smoke free zone helps us achieve this.
A smoke free campus means that smoking is prohibited on all university owned grounds including car parks, sporting grounds, and cafes. Smoking is only permitted off campus.*
This initiative was voted a unijam 'quick win' and is a Crossing the Horizon action.
Planning to quit smoking?
If you’re a smoker, this is a great opportunity to call the Quitline on 13 7848 and join us in becoming smoke free.
For a list of resources and to help you quit smoking please visit the following webpages.
- Staff Safety and Wellbeing page: provides a list of resources and information about a subsidised nicotine replacement therapy program for staff through BUPA.
- Student MyWellbeing page: includes a list of online resources and quit information.
*All University owned property will be smoke free. Mt Gambier is co-located with TAFE SA so this does not apply.
Electronic cigarettes
Electronic cigarettes (also known as e-cigarettes or electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDs) or e-cigs), are small battery-operated vaporisers designed to make mists for inhalation. They usually simulate the act of cigarette smoking and are sometimes marketed as an option to help people quit smoking, or as a tobacco replacement.
The Australian Government’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) states:
“Unlike Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) products, which have been rigorously assessed for efficacy and safety and, therefore, approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration for use as aids in withdrawal from smoking, no assessment of electronic cigarettes has been undertaken and, therefore, the quality and safety of electronic cigarettes is not known.”
“Some overseas studies suggest that electronic cigarettes containing nicotine may be dangerous, delivering unreliable doses of nicotine, or containing toxic chemicals or carcinogens, or leaking nicotine. Leaked nicotine is a poisoning hazard for the user of electronic cigarettes, as well as others around them, particularly children. Dangerous and lethal doses of nicotine can be absorbed through the skin. Electronic cigarettes containing substances other than nicotine have not been assessed for safety.”
For these reasons, the use of e-cigarettes on UniSA campuses is prohibited along with all other forms of smoking.
More information about e-cigarettes can be found at Electronic cigarettes (TGA) and Quit SA e-cigarette fact sheet.
