Smoking and Tobacco-Free Policy

The university is dedicated to providing a healthy, comfortable and productive environment for its employees, students and guests. The Surgeon General of the United States has determined that cigarette smoking is the leading preventable cause of illness and premature death in the nation. Moreover, research indicates that non-smokers who are regularly exposed to passive (secondhand) tobacco smoke are also at increased risk of illness. Passive smoke appears to be especially deleterious to the health of certain populations, including the elderly, children and individuals with allergies, asthma, respiratory disease, or cardiovascular disease. For these reasons, the Surgeon General has urged employers to implement broadly based health promotion programs with special emphasis on smoking cessation. The response to the Surgeon General’s advice and the medical evidence has been an overwhelming trend toward protection of the health and safety of non-smokers.

Therefore, as an institution committed to providing a safe and healthful environment, the University of San Diego prohibits smoking and the use of any smoking or tobacco products at all times on or in any USD-owned or USD-leased property or facility, either indoor or outdoor. Effective August 18, 2015, all USD property shall be smoking and tobacco-free.

View the University of San Diego’s Smoking and Tobacco-Free Policy.