Smoke-free Policy

BAU is committed to maintaining a healthy, safe and smoke-free learning and working environment for students, staff and visitors.

Al-Balqa Applied University (BAU) maintains a university-wide Smoke-Free Policy to promote a healthy and safe environment for students, faculty, staff, consultants, contractors and visitors. Published in 2018 and reviewed in 2023 and 2025, the policy prohibits smoking across all university premises in accordance with Health Law No. (47) of 2008. It establishes clear responsibilities for implementation, monitoring and continual improvement and supports smoking reduction, cessation, awareness and the protection of public health.

Clear responsibilities

Al-Balqa Applied University (BAU) promotes public health and healthy lifestyles through its Smoking Cessation Clinic, which supports individuals seeking to quit smoking and improve their well-being. Responsibility for implementing relevant health policies and initiatives is shared across all academic colleges, administrative units, and scientific centres, with designated offices providing coordination, monitoring, and support for compliance and enforcement. This approach reinforces the University’s commitment to smoking prevention, health promotion, and a healthier university and community environment.

Policy framework

The Smoke-Free Policy confirms BAU’s commitment to a healthy and safe environment, reduces exposure to tobacco smoke, supports smoking reduction and cessation through education and counselling, raises awareness of the harmful effects of smoking, and establishes clear responsibilities for compliance and enforcement.

Scope

The policy applies to all employees, faculty members, staff, consultants, contractors, and visitors across all BAU facilities and sites. Smoking is prohibited in all designated smoke-free areas, including lecture halls, common areas, elevators, university transportation, health facilities, dining areas, meeting rooms, conference halls, and other enclosed spaces, ensuring a healthier and safer environment for the entire university community.

Implementation and Enforcement of the Smoke-Free Policy  

BAU implements its Smoke-Free Policy through clear campus signage, designated institutional responsibilities, and ongoing monitoring to ensure compliance across university facilities. Offices including Campus Security, Student Affairs, and Human Resources support policy enforcement and promote awareness of smoke-free requirements.

Implementation is further reinforced through tobacco-prevention education, smoking-cessation support, and awareness activities organised by BAU colleges in collaboration with national health organisations. These initiatives strengthen compliance, encourage smoking prevention and cessation, and promote a healthier, tobacco-free environment for students, employees, and visitors.

Examples of Student Education and Awareness Campaigns

Peer training on tobacco prevention:  BAU promoted smoking prevention through a peer-training workshop in collaboration with the King Hussein Cancer Center and the Jordanian Universities Anti-Tobacco Association. The initiative involved 35 students from participating universities and strengthened tobacco-prevention knowledge, peer education, and awareness of smoking-related health risks.

• Peer Education Workshop on Smoking Prevention : BAU nursing students participated in peer education activities addressing tobacco-related health risks, nicotine addiction, smoking prevention, and cessation. The workshop strengthened students’ ability to communicate preventive health messages and promote tobacco-free behaviors.

• World Smoking Cessation Day – Faculty of Nursing: In collaboration with the King Hussein Cancer Foundation, BAU’s Faculty of Nursing participated in smoking-cessation awareness activities addressing the harmful effects of tobacco use and the importance of prevention and cessation. The initiative promoted healthier behaviors and reinforced the University’s tobacco-control efforts.

• National Tobacco-Control Workshop: BAU participated in national tobacco-control discussions addressing prevention strategies, institutional responsibilities, and approaches to reducing smoking-related health risks. This engagement strengthened institutional awareness of tobacco-control practices and supported the University’s smoke-free objectives.

• No to Smoking Awareness Day – Ajloun University College: Nursing students at Ajloun University College organized a smoking-prevention awareness day addressing smoking-related diseases, prevention, and early detection. The activity encouraged tobacco-free behaviors and strengthened preventive health education among students and the wider university community.