Smoking and other tobacco use, including vaping, are officially banned on all 10 of the University of Hawaii’s campuses under a new law signed by Gov. David Ige.
The prohibition applies in all indoor and outdoor areas on UH property, including areas previously designated for smoking. It covers the use of cigarettes, electronic smoking devices, cigars, pipes, and chewing tobacco. The law does not prohibit possession, just use. It took effect upon Ige’s signature late Tuesday.
“Studies show that a tobacco-free campus is effective in reducing smoking and tobacco use among college students, who are at risk for initiating social smoking practices that may lead to regular smoking,” said UH President
David Lassner. “Prohibitions have been effective in reducing both smoking prevalence and exposure to secondhand smoke.”
United Public Workers and the University of Hawaii Professional Assembly submitted testimony against the bill. They argued that such workplace restrictions should be
negotiated between the unions and their employer. The law does not list any penalties for violations.
While tobacco use has declined in Hawaii, the use of e-cigarettes has been rising rapidly, especially among youth, according to the state Health Department. Almost all smokers start before age 26.
“Mahalo to Hawaii’s policymakers for protecting current UH students and future generations from dangerous secondhand smoke and e-cigarette aerosol,” Davin Aoyagi, grass-roots manager for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, said in a statement. “UH campuses are meant to help Hawaii’s future generations learn and grow, not foster potentially deadly
tobacco addictions.”
More than 1,800 colleges and university campuses nationwide are tobacco-free.
Hawaii residents who want help to stop smoking may call the Hawaii Quitline at 1-800-784-8669.