One of the measures taken by the Dutch government to achieve a smoke-free generation in the future is the amendment of the Tobacco and Smoking Products Act: as of 1 August 2020, smoking is no longer permitted on the campuses of educational institutions (universities of applied sciences/HBO and research universities/WO).
UM finds it important to provide a healthy working and learning environment and embraces the smoke-free university. Therefore, all areas of UM are smoke-free since 1 August 2020. This measure applies to everyone—students, employees, visitors and suppliers—no exceptions. The smoking ban will be in effect 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and will apply to all smoking and tobacco products (including e-smokers).
The boundaries of the non-smoking areas (including courtyards) will be clearly indicated with signs and demarcations on the pavement. For information about the exact boundaries, please contact the building manager of the location in question.
The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) will monitor whether the smoking ban is actually in effect at each educational establishment, whether the ban is properly communicated and whether it is carefully enforced. Student teams will monitor compliance.
Want to quit smoking?
For staff and students who would like to use this time to quit smoking and want help with this, UM is offering support. In August, an external provider will begin offering (online) support in the form of group sessions combined with individual counselling, or only individual counselling. Most health insurers will reimburse the full cost of this through the basic health insurance. For students and PhD candidates who do not have Dutch health insurance, this support will be reimbursed by UM. More information will soon be available on the UM intranet.
