Smoke-free UU

Why has the government implemented a smoking ban on school premises?

Each year, more than 200,000 people in the Netherlands die from smoking or second-hand smoke. The national government and other organisations have therefore set the goal of a smoke-free generation by 2040. That means no more children start smoking, and pregnant mothers stop smoking as well. The Accord also states that the number of adult smokers should be reduced from 23% to a maximum of 5%. Smoke-free school premises - not just primary schools, but also secondary schools and higher education - are an essential element of the prevention policy.

Where can you still smoke on campus?

The maps above shows the non-smoking areas.

Are you allowed to smoke on the bicycle paths?

The bicycle paths between the designated areas are university property, so the smoking ban applies to them as well.

Does the smoking-ban also apply to electronic cigarettes?

The smoking-ban also applies to electronic cigarettes and shisha-pens. Evidence shows that the potential health damage of these products is considerable.

Will the ban be enforced in public areas, such as the roads and curbs that are city property?

We are not authorised to enforce the ban in public areas, though this may change over the course of 2021.

Why are the parking lots and meadows around the buildings not smoke-free?

The non-smoking area includes the parts of the campus near the buildings owned by the university and Utrecht University of Applied Sciences, and the areas between these buildings. This is where most student traffic is located, and is where the ban will be enforced.

What are the sanctions for offenders?

The university cannot impose fines. The Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority is the supervisory body and may administer fines ranging from € 600 to € 4,500 per violation of the smoking ban. These fines will be imposed on the university, not the offender, but all or part of the cost of fine may be billed to the offender. However, we will first start with addressing people and monitor how things are going.

What about student housing?

The property on which student housing is located is property of Utrecht University, and is therefore also smoke-free. The student housing facilities do have zones where smoking is tolerated for residents only. The Stichting Studentenhuisvesting (SSH) will inform the residents about the consequences of the ban in more detail.