At the start of next month, people will no longer be able to smoke in front of the UB or on the steps of the Academy building. The UG will enforce the smoking ban per October 1.
Smoking on UG premises has been banned since August 2020, but the pandemic interfered with the enforcement of the ban. That’s now going to change, and not just because the UG is risking a fine of 600 euros if they’re found to be in violation, a fine that can rise up to 4,500 euros if the violation is repeated.
‘We support the smoke-free generation campaign’, said UG board president Jouke de Vries during a university council meeting with the board committee.
Oversight
People who currently work at the UG to supplement their benefits will enforce the ban in the city centre. The Zernike campus employs six student enforcers from the Noorderpoort college.
The university also has agreements with the city. While smoking in front of the Academy building and the UB is banned, the street between the two buildings belongs to the city. ‘We made a deal with the city that we can enforce the ban across the whole street’, said De Vries.
The UG won’t be able to do anything if people step off the street, though. ‘But in general, students abide by the rules when we tell them to’, said De Vries.
Personal information
The science and personnel factions of the university council have objected to the UG asking smokers for their personal information, which the board of directors initially planned. In order to be allowed to ask for this information, the university has to write a document detailing the basis, authority, and risks of doing so, the factions said.
The UG will therefore enforce the ban differently. People will still be told that they can’t smoke on university premises, but they won’t be asked for their personal information.
UPDATE: This article was changed after it had been published to reflect that the board of directors and the university council decided on a less strict manner of enforcement.