Alcohol, Tobacco, Cannabis, and Drugs Policy

    Effective Date: February 28, 2011

    Scope
    This policy of the University governs aspects of employment for all employees, including faculty, managerial and professional staff, and staff represented by bargaining units.

    Policy Statement
    The University reserves the right to modify  this policy  at any time and to amend the terms of  this policy. Specific questions should be directed to the Employee Service Center.

    Distribution
    This policy is meant to be a resource  for all employees at Yale.

    Administration of Policy
    The Vice President for Human Resources has overall responsibility for the implementation and administration of  this policy. On a day-to-day basis, however, it is the responsibility of each  employee  to follow and for supervisors to administer  this policy  in a manner consistent with the  provision of other workplace policies.

    Changes in Policy
    Changes in policy must be authorized by the Vice President for Human Resources, or by their designee.

    The University reserves the right to change this policy  with or without prior notice. Changes and updates will be made electronically and communicated accordingly.

    This policy is not  intended to be a contract of employment.

    Reason for the Policy
    It is intended that  this policy  be used to promote a uniform understanding and application of  the University’s Alcohol, Tobacco, Cannabis, and Drugs Policy.

    Alcohol, Tobacco, Cannabis, and Drugs Policy

    Alcohol

    The unauthorized possession or misuse of controlled substances and alcoholic beverages, and the consumption, possession, or provision of such substances in violation of federal or state laws or University rules is prohibited.

    Staff members violating this policy will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination.

    Tobacco and Cannabis Smoking and Use Policy

    Tobacco

    As an institution of higher education that researches and treats the effects of smoking and tobacco use and cares deeply about the health of its students, faculty, staff, and visitors, Yale embarked on a journey to create a tobacco-free campus. Smoking and the use of all tobacco products are detrimental to health, not only for those who use these products but also for those exposed to secondhand effects. Yale recognizes that quitting smoking is complex and difficult and founded this initiative on education and outreach rather than implementing a punitive policy.

    As we continue to work towards the ultimate goal of becoming a smoke and tobacco-free campus, as outlined in our Towards a Tobacco Free Yale Policy, smoking and the use of tobacco-derived or containing products is prohibited in all University indoor and outdoor spaces, and any property owned or leased by the University. University property includes, but is not limited to, parking lots, paths, fields, sports/recreational areas, theaters, museums, stadiums, facilities, buildings, and University vehicles, regardless of location.

    Smoking is defined as inhaling or burning any lighted or heated tobacco or other substance, whether natural or synthetic, in any manner or form.

    Prohibited substances are defined as any tobacco-derived or containing products and vaped substances, including but not limited to:

    • Cigarettes (e.g., clove, bidis, kreteks)
    • Electronic cigarettes and vaping substances and devices in all their forms, including but not limited to cigalikes, aerosol, or vapor delivery devices, commonly known as ENDS- Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems
    • Cigars and cigarillos
    • Hookah-smoked products, including but not limited to pipes, water pipes, and other devices using smoke and/or vapor
    • Oral or nasal tobacco, including but not limited to spit and spitless, smokeless, chew, snuff

    The sale or advertising of tobacco and other inhaled or burned substances is prohibited in University-owned or occupied buildings. Federal and State law prohibits tobacco use where hazardous materials are present, which includes loading docks and driveway areas. Yale Housing is a dedicated smoke-free housing. There are no exceptions for smoking within the dormitory buildings or the apartments.

    All members of the Yale community share a responsibility to respect this policy. During this transitional stage, cigarette urns and designated smoking areas will continue to be phased out. Yale remains committed to providing comprehensive cessation support to those who choose to smoke off campus.

    Cannabis

    As of July 1, 2021, Connecticut’s Responsible and Equitable Regulation of Adult-Use Cannabis Act or RERACA permits the possession and use of cannabis for adults 21 or over, allowing an individual to possess up to 1.5 ounces of cannabis or the equivalent amount of cannabis products or concentrates on their person or 5 ounces in their homes or locked in their car trunk or glove box. Please note that Connecticut law and University policy prohibit the smoking of cannabis or cannabis-derived substances in the same locations at the University described within the Tobacco section of this Policy.

    Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act

    The Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989 require an institution of higher education, as a condition of receiving any financial assistance under any federal program, to certify that it has adopted and implemented a program to prevent the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by students and staff members. Information about the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments is distributed to staff members annually.

    Yale’s Policy on a Drug-Free Workplace

    In accordance with federal law, the University has adopted a drug-free workplace policy. All staff members are required to abide by the terms of this policy statement as a condition of employment.

    The unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession or use of a controlled substance at the workplace is prohibited. Any staff member determined to have violated this prohibition may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination.

    The University recognizes that drug abuse in the workplace poses potential health, safety, and security problems, and has implemented a drug-free awareness program to inform staff members of the problems of drug abuse and the availability of counseling and other assistance.

    A staff member engaged in the performance of work under a federal grant or contract who is convicted of a violation of a criminal drug statute occurring in the workplace must notify the University of the conviction within five days of such conviction. Non-faculty staff members must notify their immediate supervisor of any such conviction, who must immediately notify Human Resources. Faculty members must notify their dean and/or cognizant deputy provost, as appropriate, of any such conviction. The dean and/or cognizant deputy provost will immediately notify the Office of Research Administration.

    Within ten days of receipt of notice of a conviction for violation of a criminal drug statute occurring in the workplace, the University is required to notify the sponsoring federal agency of the conviction. The University will, within 30 days of notice of such a conviction, take or initiate appropriate disciplinary action with respect to any staff member who is so convicted (up to or including termination) or will require satisfactory participation in the University’s Assistance Program or another drug abuse assistance or rehabilitation program.

    Drug-Free Awareness Program of Yale University

    The University has established a drug-free awareness program to inform staff members about the dangers of drug abuse in the workplace and the availability of counseling and rehabilitation programs. The program has been developed by Yale Health and Human Resources.

    New staff members of Yale University will be informed of the dangers of the use of drugs by way of the inclusion of pertinent information and literature at the time of their initial orientation. Individual counseling and referrals can be provided through Employee Health and the University Assistance Program for staff and faculty.

    Questions concerning this policy may be addressed to the Office of the General Counsel.