Smoking Policies at UBC

According to stated policies at UBC: “smoking is prohibited:

• in all UBC buildings
• 6 meters from any doorway or building air intake, such as an openable window or air vent
• in all UBC vehicles
• in (and 6 meters around) bus shelters.”

The rules in Acadia Park and University Apartments can be found in the Residence Agreement.

The results are in

During March, 73 surveys were completed by residents of Acadia Park and University Apartments. Here are the results from the survey:

• Respondents were: 29% - students; 11% - staff or faculty; 60% - family members of students, staff or faculty
• 90% of respondents were non-smoking
• The most common places that people said they notice people smoking were outside, but not near buildings. Examples include on pathways/roadways, in the Community Garden, near the laundry room, in parking lots, near playgrounds/childcare centres, and near garbage bins.
• The second most common places that people said they notice people smoking were nearby residential buildings including on balconies, in yards, near doorways, etc.
• 27% expressed satisfaction for the current policy in Acadia Park/University Apartments
• 11% expressed they did not know about the policy in Acadia Park/University Apartments
• 22% expressed dissatisfaction with the policy in Acadia Park/University Apartments
• 49% described negative experiences with smoking
• 10% described positive experiences with smoking
• 8% reported neutral experiences with smoking
• Of the negative experienced described, the most commonly cited concerns were exposure to second-hand smoke, concern for children, and butt litter.
• Through observational surveys, cigarette butts were noted on the ground throughout the community, most notably along Acadia Park Lane.