All USC campuses became smoke-free on 1 January 2018.

USC is committed to providing students, staff and visitors with a safe and healthy learning and working environment. Smoke-free campuses promote healthy living and minimise the harmful effects of passive smoking.

Yes. Many Australian universities have already implemented smoke-free policies. All Queensland universities and TAFEs were supported by the Queensland Government Smoke-free Higher Education and Training initiative to implement smoke-free policies in 2018.

Yes. Under Queensland's Tobacco Act, electronic cigarettes are smoking products and as such they are included in the smoke-free policy.

Smoking is the inhalation and exhalation of the smoke of burning tobacco, herbs or drugs.

Smoking also refers to the use of electronic cigarettes or other devices. Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes, e-cigars, vapour pens, or a personal vaporiser) are any product where there is a hand to mouth action and results in the expulsion of a vapour.

If you wish to smoke, you will need to go off-campus. Smoking is not permitted on USC grounds. This includes all USC buildings, grounds, car parks and vehicles.

If you choose to smoke, make a plan for where you will smoke off-campus. Consider a well-lit area (if at night) and how you will manage any litter.

All staff, students, visitors, volunteers and contractors on USC campuses will need to adhere to the smoke-free policy. This also includes the general public walking through our campuses.

Quitting smoking isn’t easy, but with the right tools and support, quitting smoking is possible and can be one of the most life-changing achievements a person can make.

The University encourages smokers to reduce or quit smoking. See "Support to quit smoking" for services and information available to students and staff.

Any staff, student or visitor who smokes on a USC campus may be approached by staff, students or campus security and reminded about our smoke-free policy.

The success of this approach will depend on the thoughtfulness, consideration and cooperation of smokers and non-smokers. All students and staff share the responsibility for helping USC to be smoke-free.

A variety of methods are used to raise awareness of USC’s smoke-free policy, including:

• Signage
• Smoke-free materials such as posters and postcards
• Social media, Student News, MyUSC and emails to students and staff
• Pre-arrival information for new students and staff, as well as information via the student diary, orientation and induction programs, and relevant university events

Maintaining a smoke-free campus requires respect for others – both non-smokers and smokers. You are encouraged to respectfully and politely remind smokers they must go off-campus if they wish to smoke. If you notice people smoking at a particular location on a regular basis, contact studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au.

Anyone found smoking on campus will be asked to cease smoking and be advised of the requirement to comply with the smoke-free policy. For staff, students and contractors, failure to comply with the smoke-free policy could result in disciplinary action.

If you have any questions regarding the Smoke-free USC initiative, you may contact Student Wellbeing.