Tobacco-free policy FAQs

Through many programs and initiatives, the Department of Human Services helps protect the health of all Oregonians. The tobacco-free campus policy is being developed as a way for DHS to model the behavior we expect in others. It is, in effect, one effort to “walk the talk."

Policy development
Work on the Oregon Department of Human Services’ tobacco-free campus initiative has been under way since 2006 when a committee was convened to develop the policy and implementation plan. Throughout the process, the committee consulted with union officials and other stakeholders to ensure a fair, effective and enforceable policy. This open, proactive approach continues. Feedback, questions and concerns may be sent to dhs.tobacco-free@state.or.us.

Policy implementation
The policy will become effective May 30, 2008. A link to the policy will be available here on or before that date. In short, the policy will prohibit the use of all tobacco products at all times in the interior and exterior spaces of DHS-controlled locations. That means a person may not smoke or use smokeless tobacco inside DHS buildings or on the surrounding DHS campuses or property.

DHS intends to implement the tobacco-free campus policy at all locations using a phased approach. The first phase begins in May 2008 when the policy goes into effect at about one third of all DHS locations. The affected locations were selected because the buildings are either wholly owned or leased by DHS. The facilities that DHS shares with other tenants will go tobacco-free as new lease agreements are renegotiated.