Title:A Quiet Campus Goes Smoke-Free

Georgetown University became a smoke-free campus as of August 15, 2020, per a plan announced in April 2019.

Under the policy, smoking and other tobacco use, including carrying any burning cigarette, cigar or pipe, or any form of e-cigarette, is prohibited within university-owned or leased buildings, grounds, and vehicles. The policy applies to all students, faculty, staff, visitors,
and contractors.

The university joins thousands of other smoke- and tobacco-free campuses around the country, as well as MedStar, the Medical Center, and the Law Center who instituted bans over the past 10 years.

“Making this important change is about caring for our community—smokers, tobacco-users, and non-users alike—and aligning ourselves with our value of care for the whole person,” says Charles DeSantis, interim vice president and chief human resources officer. The university remains committed to providing tobacco and smoking cessation resources and supporting those who need them.

With very few people currently living and working on campus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this long-planned transition turned out to be well-timed and seamless.