Skip to Content

Smoke-free Swinburne
from 1 October 2014

We are proud to be leading a healthier and cleaner environment for students, staff and visitors to the university.

Swinburne Sarawak will be a smoke-free campus from 1 October 2014

This means that from 1 October 2014, smoking is prohibited within the university premises, including outdoor areas around university buildings. This is an extension of our current no-smoking policy in Swinburne buildings and vehicles owned or leased by the University.

This is to comply with the ‘Control of Tobacco Product Act and Regulations 2013’, which conforms to our policy of “Maintaining a Smoke-Free Work Environment ”.

Support and assistance for employees and students

We understand that this will have an impact on staff, students and visitors. Therefore we are making this announcement well before the 1 October 2014 implementation date. We will provide support to our staff and students as follow:

Frequently asked questions for Swinburne students, including those staying at Swinburne residential buildings and areas

What is Swinburne Sarawak doing?

We are implementing a smoke-free policy which means from 1 October 2014, smoking will be prohibited within Swinburne Sarawak campus, including outdoor areas as well as in and around university buildings.

Why has Swinburne Sarawak decided to go smoke-free?

The health and well-being of our staff, students and visitors is important to us. Having a smoke-free Swinburne ensures everyone can enjoy a positive, healthy and safe environment. We are proud to be taking proactive steps towards ensuring a healthy, smoke-free environment, especially since smoking is the leading preventable cause of disease and death.

How will the new policy be enforced?

This is an extension of our current no-smoking policy in Swinburne buildings and will be enforced by officers from Ministry of Health Malaysia. Any staff, student or visitor, who smokes on campus after 1 October 2014, may be approached by Health Officers and reminded about Swinburne Sarawak's smoke-free policy and respectfully asked to not smoke or to leave the campus until they have finished smoking. Failing to comply to the Act may result in a compound of RM250.00.

As a smoker, will there be designated areas where I can smoke?

Given that the entire Swinburne Sarawak campus will be completely smoke-free, there will be no designated smoking areas anywhere on campus. This means that any staff, student, or visitor wishing to smoke will be required to leave the campus property.

Does the smoke-free policy extend to Swinburne residential areas?

Yes, and including decks and balcony areas. This policy applies to all times of the day to ensure that we can provide a positive, healthy and smoke-free environment for all.

Does the smoke-free policy extend to visitors at Swinburne?

Yes. We realise that visitors may not be aware of Swinburne Sarawak's smoke-free policy, therefore after 1 October 2014, we encourage the Swinburne community to take an informative and helpful approach in advising visitors about the non-smoking policy at the campus.

I'm a smoker, what about my rights?

Smokers may still smoke, but not within the university premises where their smoke may cause harm or discomfort to others. Everyone has the right to breathe clean air and enjoy a healthy environment, free from the harmful substances that is found in cigarette smoke.

Can Swinburne really ban the use of cigarettes, given they are a legal product?

In introducing a smoke-free environment, Swinburne is not banning the use of cigarettes, but prohibiting smoking on Swinburne property. Providing a smoke-free environment ensures we can all enjoy a positive, healthy and safe environment, without the negative impact of cigarette smoke.

How is this being communicated?

The implementation of a smoke-free Swinburne is an important initiative and Swinburne is using various mediumsinfo to communicate this message. Information is available on Swinburne's website, and Facebook page. Posters announcing the change will be displayed in all buildings and new signage will be posted around the campus perimeters. Students can also visit www.swinburne.edu.my/smokefree for further information.

How will Swinburne be assisting and supporting staff and students?

As we move towards 1 October 2014, Swinburne Sarawak will be organising quit smoking related activities such as a health talk and screening in order to provide information and support to students and staff. Students' Development & Counselling Service will also offer confidential counselling to staff and students.