Version: 4 Creation date: 8 October 2007 Last review date:27 December 2025 Near East University is committed to promoting a healthy and safe environment for all staff, students, and visitors. Recognizing the health effects of smoking, Near East University aims to minimise exposure to second-hand smoke on campus while respecting the needs of smokers. This policy covers designated smoking areas on campus and guidelines concerning the use of tobacco products and electronic cigarettes. Smoking is restricted to clearly marked designated smoking areas across the campus. All enclosed areas, including academic and administrative buildings, offices, shared kitchens, corridors, and other indoor shared-use areas, are completely smoke-free. This policy applies to all staff, students, visitors, and persons conducting business with the University on our campus. This policy complies with national and local legislation concerning smoke-free environments. Failure to comply with the legislation under the Tobacco Products (Prevention and Control of Harmful Effects) Law No. 44/2008 may result in penalties prescribed by law and disciplinary sanctions imposed by the University. Members of the University community have the right to clean air in enclosed spaces and designated outdoor areas. Individuals who smoke are required to respect non-smoking areas and use the designated smoking areas provided. The rules of this policy apply equally to students, academic and administrative staff, visitors, and contractors. The use of electronic cigarette devices is permitted only in designated smoking areas. Signs clearly indicating designated smoking and smoke-free areas are displayed throughout the campus. Signage should be placed at building entrances and at the boundaries of designated smoking areas to make the permitted areas clear. Students, employees, and other relevant persons who believe that this policy has been violated may report the matter to the Rectorate at [email protected]. The University encourages policy violations to be reported through this email address. Reports should be made as clearly and specifically as possible and, where available, be accompanied by supporting information or documentation. The University protects reporting persons against retaliation and ensures that individuals who make reports in good faith are not subjected to adverse treatment because of their reports. The University seeks to address identified non-compliance through education, guidance, and support; where necessary and appropriate, it may impose sanctions in accordance with the relevant policies and legislation. Near East University supports access to smoking cessation programmes for students and employees who wish to quit smoking. In this context, information, counselling, and access to available support services concerning the smoking cessation process are provided through the Near East University Hospital Smoking Cessation Centre. Information on programme access conditions and, where applicable, insurance coverage, discounts, or University support for employees is communicated through the relevant channels. The University promotes a smoke-free lifestyle and encourages those wishing to quit smoking to make use of available support. Information on accessing smoking cessation treatment can be obtained through the Near East University Hospital contact page: https://neareasthospital.com/contact/?lang=en This policy is reviewed at least every three years to ensure that it continues to meet the needs of the University community and remains compliant with applicable legislation. The policy may be reviewed earlier if there are significant changes in legislation, University practices, or the needs of the University community. Stakeholder feedback, reports of policy violations, and observations of policy implementation are taken into account during the review. Changes proposed as a result of the review are assessed and, where deemed appropriate, put into effect.
Near East University Partial Smoke-Free Policy