Smoke-Free at OC

Okanagan College’s Smoke-Free Campus prohibits smoking tobacco, cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, mini-cigars, pipes, water pipes, hookah, and shisha on any College property.  It also includes the use of electronic smoking devices* which create an aerosol or vapor, in any manner or in any form, or the use of any smoking device.   

*Vaping can increase coughing and wheezing, heart rate, and cause inflammation of the lungs, and increased heart rate. Its long-term effects are still unknown and can lead to similar diseases as smoking. 
(BC Lung Foundation)

The OC Smoke-Free Campus Policy applies to all land boundaries owned by Okanagan College, inclusive of buildings, learning places, public places, and workplaces. Those who wish to smoke or use tobacco or smoking devices are required to leave Okanagan College property.

Smoking is prohibited on college property and, therefore, tobacco use, and smoking are not permitted inside or outside of any vehicles while parked on college property.  

Smoking in College vehicles has been prohibited for several years and remains so under the proposed Policy and in compliance with the Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Act.  

All events occurring on college property are subject to the Tobacco and Smoke-Free Campus Policy. The OC Smoke-Free Campus Policy applies to anyone entering College property for any reason.  

Smoking on any publicly owned sport field or surface, including those that are owned by a post-secondary education institution, is also prohibited under the Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Act and will remain so under the proposed policy.  

Smoking is prohibited while on college property. For the first few months, anyone found in contravention of the OC Smoke-Free Campus Policy will be asked to refrain from smoking. Future enforcement will be aligned with existing policies and procedures (Policies | Okanagan College).  

Tobacco referred to on the OC Smoke-Free Campus Policy is only referring to tobacco that is smoked. This does not include smokeless tobacco such as chew, spit, snuff, etc. 

The College has a duty to accommodate employees and students with disabilities. The College must also take every reasonable precaution to ensure the safety of the learning and workplace and will be obligated to prohibit situations that jeopardize the health and safety of all.   

When in receipt of an accommodation request, the College will engage the processes outlined Disability Management Guideline on Workplace Accommodation. Please note that accommodations will be made for employees and students on a case-by-case basis.

For further inquiries, please contact Student Services or People Services.

Many actions were taken to ensure as many groups as possible were represented during the planning and implementation processes, and to provide a mechanism for groups to voice their ideas and concerns. Between Spring and Fall of 2024, meetings were held with many campus and community partners; including different official committees and groups, registered student clubs, various student, College leaders and community stakeholders. 

These meetings:  

• Informed members of the campus community about how the decision to become tobacco and smoke-free occurred;
• Provided information about the implementation process; and,
• Solicited input to help make the process as collaborative as possible. 

For additional information and resources on how the OC Smoke-Free policy will affect current employees, please access MyOkanagan.