King Abdul Aziz University in Jeddah (KAAU) has done a commendable thing — declaring itself a “smoke-free university”. It has adopted measures aimed at discouraging students, teachers and others from smoking. Punitive measures against those who violate the anti-smoking rules came into effect three weeks ago.
The anti-smoking campaign was the idea of the university rector, Dr. Osama Tayeb, who wanted a smoke-free university as part of the Kingdom’s efforts in that direction. The organizers hope that no smoking will expand to include all the Kingdom’s educational institutions and much of its society.
Under the new regulations, a student found smoking in public for the first time will be asked to sign an undertaking not to do so again. For the second offense, the student will be denied certain university privileges for two semesters — access to the Internet, subsidized meals in the university dining room, cash grants and loans and reduced airfares. If the violation is committed a third time, the student will be brought before a disciplinary council which will decide on further action. The rule applies to both male and female students.
Administrators and university technical staff will also be asked to sign a pledge the first time they are found smoking; the second offense includes a verbal warning and the third means the staff will be denied privileges offered to employees by the university. These include free admission of children as part-time students, access to the Internet and attending training courses held inside and outside the Kingdom. If the violations continue, they may face further disciplinary action.
The same rules apply to teaching staff who enjoy the incentives and privileges provided by the university. Smoking teachers may not be allowed to teach service courses or have their retirement age extended beyond 60. They may also receive a written warning from the rector and face disciplinary action.
The university has taken a major step that could positively influence the national no-smoking campaign. KAAU has adopted a two-point strategy that I think will ensure the success of its smoke-free policy: The gradual introduction of the anti-smoking measures and a massive education campaign. It is easy to issue a decree banning something but that will not work unless it is reinforced by an awareness campaign for those targeted by the policy.
I hope to see other institutions benefit from the university’s action and adopt similar measures that will lead us to a time of smoke-free schools, factories, offices, shops and, ultimately, a smoke-free society.
