TOBACCO-FREE PROPERTIES POLICY

Purpose: To establish and support a tobacco-free environment on the premises of Hartford Public Library.

Hartford Public Library is committed to providing a safe, clean and healthy environment for our visitors and staff. As a responsible community leader in information and life-long learning, Hartford Public Library provides a tobacco-free environment to reduce health risks associated with the use of tobacco products (including, but not limited to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, chewing tobacco, smokeless tobacco, dip and snuff) and to promote and encourage healthy lifestyles throughout the community.

Policy: Hartford Public Library will be a tobacco-free environment, effective July 1, 2017, both inside and outside all Library managed or maintained facilities throughout the City.

Scope:

This policy applies to all persons, including HPL staff, UConn staff, visitors, students, vendors, contractors, subcontractors, children/youths, volunteers and others in Hartford Public Library managed buildings, on Library-maintained grounds, in all Library-owned or leased vehicles, and in all personal vehicles located or parked on Library managed/maintained property.

“Premises” is defined as all Hartford Public Library managed/maintained buildings and grounds, parking lots and garages, all Library-owned or leased vehicles and personal vehicles located or parked on Library property.

Implementation:

A communication plan will be implemented that will inform staff, visitors, and all others of this action. Signs will be posted at each facility’s entrances and displayed in prominent, visible areas.

Human Resources will also inform employment candidates of this policy during the application process and in the new hire orientation process.

Assistance, via smoking cessation programs, will be provided to employees who wish to stop their use of tobacco.

All Library staff members and leadership are required to observe and promote compliance with this tobacco-free policy:

All staff members are responsible for encouraging compliance by staff, visitors, students, vendors, contractors, subcontractors, children/youths, volunteers and others found in violation of this policy by courteously reminding them of this policy and requesting that they stop smoking or using the tobacco product on the premises in accordance with this policy.

Visitors who smoke or use tobacco products on Library premises will be asked to leave the premises. Security may be called upon for additional support and intervention.

Any employee violating this policy will be counseled by his or her supervisor and may be subject to progressive disciplinary measures in accordance with applicable collective bargaining agreement.

Questions regarding this policy should be addressed directly to the Human Resources Director.

Date Approved by the Board of Directors: June 1, 2017 Effective Date: July1,2017