University Rule
34.05.99.J1 Tobacco-Free Environment
Approved: November 13, 2025
Next Scheduled Review: November 13, 2030
Summary
To ensure a safe, healthy, and pleasant work, educational and living environment, Texas A&M University-Victoria (A&M-Victoria) maintains rules and guidelines that limit or prohibit tobacco use on all university-owned, operated or leased property. This rule establishes guidance for the use of tobacco and e-cigarette/vaping products on university property.
This rule is required by System Policy 34.05, Smoking.
Definitions
Smoking – All forms of smoking and tobacco products including but not limited to cigarettes, cigars, pipes, water pipes (hookah), bidis, kreteks, Dokha, smokeless tobacco, snuff, chewing tobacco, and electronic cigarettes (includes vapors, personal vaporizers, tanks, cigars, pipes and other).
University Property – Property located in the state of Texas that is owned, operated, leased, occupied or under the administrative control of the President of Texas A&M University-Victoria. For purposes of this rule, this includes but is not limited to all grounds, buildings and structures, sidewalks, parking lots, walkways, and all vehicles owned, leased or rented by Texas A&M University-Victoria.
Rule
1. SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS
Areas in which smoking is prohibited:
Effective September 1, 2025, smoking and forms of tobacco use are prohibited on University Property.
It is the responsibility of all members of the campus community, including visitors, to observe these requirements. This rule relies on the thoughtfulness, consideration and cooperation of smokers and tobacco-users for its success. Those violating this rule should be reminded of this rule and asked to comply.
Department heads or others with purview over facilities shall ensure that the rule is communicated to everyone who occupies space in the facility.
University student artists or actors who participate in authorized performances will be allowed to smoke as part of an artistic production, provided that appropriate disposal receptacles and smoke filtration units are available and the audience is informed prior to the performance.
If approved by the provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, smoking is permitted by participants in academic research studies involving smoking, if it is conducted in a designated area and informational signs are posted indicating the presence of tobacco smoke. The principal investigator must have an Institutional Review Board-approved protocol on file with A&M-Victoria before beginning the research study, and a smoke filtration unit must be operating during the smoking event.
2. SMOKING AND TOBACCO CESSATION PROGRAMS
A&M-Victoria is committed to supporting faculty and staff who wish to stop using tobacco and nicotine products. Information on tobacco, nicotine and smoking, including the smoking cessation program, is provided through the Living Well tobacco cessation program.
3. EXEMPTIONS
Exemptions to this rule may be permitted by the president for specific activities and locations to carry out the goals and objectives of the university.
Related Statues, Policies, or Requirements
System Regulation 34.05. Smoking
Tex. Penal Code § 48.01. Smoking Tobacco
Tex. Lab. Code § 411.103. Duty of Employer to Provide Safe Workplace
Contact Office
Emergency Management Office
(361) 570-4245