All Imperial campuses and properties are smoke-free. This means that smoking by staff and students is not be permitted on or within 20 metres of Imperial land — this includes the use of vapes and e-cigarettes.
This supports Imperial’s commitment to creating and maintaining a healthy environment for its community and visitors. Evidence shows that smoke-free policies are associated with reductions in the prevalence of smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke and fewer cigarettes smoked.
The Smoke Free Policy is in line with the NHS policy, which have required all our hospital campuses to be smoke-free since 2015.
A range of support is available via Imperial and the NHS for staff and students considering quitting smoking. For example, staff and students can self-refer to Occupational Health to receive six free weekly sessions delivered by a trained advisor. Find out more.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- How has this change come about?
- How is the policy enforced?
- Why is smoking not permitted within 20 metres of campus perimeters?
- What about vapes and e-cigarettes?
- What about student events at Beit Quad?
- Where can people smoke?
A working group was convened in January 2016 to consider the Imperial's smoking policy. The working group included representatives from each of the faculties and from Imperial College Union (ICU). An MSc student was commissioned to carry out a survey on smoking amongst Imperial staff and students. In addition, ICU carried out their own survey of students.
Provost’s Board took account of these survey results in making their decision, as well as considering smoking policies at other organisations, including the NHS.
This change has brought all of our campuses in line with NHS policy, which also requires all our hospital campuses to be smoke free. Sale of tobacco products on campus ceased during 2016.
As we ask all staff and students for their help in implementing the policy, we do also want to hear about any practical issues or concerns. You can get in touch with these or any other questions not covered here via smoke.free@imperial.ac.uk.
We are asking all staff and students for help in implementing the policy but particularly staff in a management position to contribute to the enforcement of this policy, by politely asking anyone they see breaching it to desist.
Imperial’s responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work Act and the Health Act 2006 mean that we have a duty to limit our community’s exposure to passive smoking.
The use of vapes and e-cigarettes is not permitted in any Imperial buildings, or anywhere near entrances or air ducts where their emissions could enter buildings.
For reasons of practicality, smoking is permitted in Beit Quad, at least 5 metres away from the south wing, on Wednesday and Friday evenings during term-time when major ticketed events are being held.
We would encourage all smokers to consider accessing support to quit smoking. But for those students and staff who choose to smoke, the policy requires that they smoke off-campus and away from our buildings.
As our campuses are near residential homes, businesses and schools, we ask staff and students to be mindful of the health and well-being of our neighbours.