{"id":3048,"date":"2025-11-05T00:03:56","date_gmt":"2025-11-05T00:03:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sustainability.uoa.edu.iq\/?page_id=3048"},"modified":"2026-10-28T09:31:17","modified_gmt":"2026-10-28T09:31:17","slug":"smoke-free-policy-3-3-6","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sustainability.uoa.edu.iq\/index.php\/smoke-free-policy-3-3-6\/","title":{"rendered":"Smoke-Free Policy (3.3.6)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"ds-page ds-ind-page\"><header class=\"ds-hero\" style=\"--sdg:#4C9F38\"><nav class=\"ds-crumbs\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumb\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sustainability.uoa.edu.iq\/\">Home<\/a><span class=\"sep\">\/<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sustainability.uoa.edu.iq\/index.php\/sdg-3-good-health-and-wellbeing\/\">SDG 3<\/a><span class=\"sep\">\/<\/span><span>3.3.6<\/span><\/nav><div class=\"ds-badge\"><b>3<\/b>Good Health and Well-being<\/div><h1>Smoke-Free Policy<\/h1><div class=\"ds-meta\"><span><i class=\"ds-ic\" style=\"--i:url(https:\/\/api.iconify.design\/lucide\/hash.svg)\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i> Indicator 3.3.6<\/span><span><i class=\"ds-ic\" style=\"--i:url(https:\/\/api.iconify.design\/lucide\/file-check-2.svg)\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i> 1 evidence items<\/span><span><i class=\"ds-ic\" style=\"--i:url(https:\/\/api.iconify.design\/lucide\/book-open.svg)\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i> 10 sections<\/span><\/div><\/header><div class=\"ds-layout\"><aside class=\"ds-aside\"><details class=\"ds-nav\" open><summary><i class=\"ds-ic\" style=\"--i:url(https:\/\/api.iconify.design\/lucide\/list-tree.svg)\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i> SDG 3 Indicators <span class=\"n\">10<\/span><\/summary><ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/sustainability.uoa.edu.iq\/index.php\/sustainability-report-sdg03-1-0\/\">Sustainability Report \u2013 SDG 03<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/sustainability.uoa.edu.iq\/index.php\/research-on-healthcare-list-3-1\/\"><code>3.1<\/code>Research on healthcare [List]<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/sustainability.uoa.edu.iq\/index.php\/health-graduates-statics-3-2\/\"><code>3.2<\/code>Health Graduates [Statics]<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/sustainability.uoa.edu.iq\/index.php\/health-collaborations-3-3-1\/\"><code>3.3.1<\/code>Health Collaborations<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/sustainability.uoa.edu.iq\/index.php\/health-outreach-3-3-2\/\"><code>3.3.2<\/code>Health Outreach<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/sustainability.uoa.edu.iq\/index.php\/shared-sports-facilities-3-3-3\/\"><code>3.3.3<\/code>Shared Sports Facilities<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/sustainability.uoa.edu.iq\/index.php\/reproductive-health-services-3-3-4\/\"><code>3.3.4<\/code>Reproductive Health Services<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/sustainability.uoa.edu.iq\/index.php\/student-mental-health-3-3-5\/\"><code>3.3.5<\/code>Student Mental Health<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/sustainability.uoa.edu.iq\/index.php\/smoke-free-policy-3-3-6\/\" aria-current=\"page\"><code>3.3.6<\/code>Smoke-Free Policy<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/sustainability.uoa.edu.iq\/index.php\/staff-mental-health-3-3-7\/\"><code>3.3.7<\/code>Staff Mental Health<\/a><\/li><\/ul><div class=\"ds-nav-foot\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sustainability.uoa.edu.iq\/index.php\/sdg-3-good-health-and-wellbeing\/\"><i class=\"ds-ic\" style=\"--i:url(https:\/\/api.iconify.design\/lucide\/layout-grid.svg)\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i> SDG 3 overview<\/a><\/div><\/details><\/aside><div class=\"ds-main\"><nav class=\"ds-chipnav\" aria-label=\"On this page\"><b>On this page<\/b><a href=\"#introduction\">Introduction<\/a><a href=\"#rationale-and-institutional-commitment\">Rationale and Institutional Commitment<\/a><a href=\"#scope-and-coverage\">Scope and Coverage<\/a><a href=\"#implementation-and-enforcement\">Implementation and Enforcement<\/a><a href=\"#health-education-and-behavioral-support\">Health Education and Behavioral Support<\/a><a href=\"#campus-environment-and-infrastructure\">Campus Environment and Infrastructure<\/a><a href=\"#community-engagement-and-outreach\">Community Engagement and Outreach<\/a><a href=\"#research-and-innovation\">Research and Innovation<\/a><a href=\"#monitoring-and-evaluation\">Monitoring and Evaluation<\/a><a href=\"#digital-transformation-and-ict-integration\">Digital Transformation and ICT Integration<\/a><\/nav><div class=\"ds-prose\"><section id=\"introduction\"><h2 class=\"bar\">Introduction<\/h2><p>The <strong>University of Al-Maarif (UOA)<\/strong> has adopted a <strong>Comprehensive Smoke-Free Campus Policy<\/strong> as part of its strategic commitment to public-health promotion, environmental sustainability, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly <strong>SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being)<\/strong> and <strong>SDG 13 (Climate Action)<\/strong>.<br>This policy, first introduced in <strong>January 2021<\/strong> and reaffirmed by the <strong>University Council<\/strong> and the <strong>Sustainability &amp; Global Ranking Unit<\/strong> in <strong>March 2025<\/strong>, positions UOA among Iraq\u2019s pioneering institutions integrating health, safety, and sustainability into every layer of campus life.<\/p><p>The regulation establishes a <strong>100 percent smoke-free environment<\/strong> across all university properties\u2014indoor and outdoor alike. It prohibits the use of <strong>traditional cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, vapes, hookahs (shisha), cigars, and any tobacco-related devices<\/strong> within classrooms, offices, dormitories, sports facilities, laboratories, caf\u00e9s, walkways, and parking areas. The university has taken a decisive stance of <strong>zero tolerance<\/strong>, ensuring there are no designated smoking zones on campus.<\/p><p>This initiative aims not only to safeguard air quality and reduce fire hazards but also to cultivate a culture of well-being, respect, and social responsibility among students and staff. It reflects UOA\u2019s belief that a healthy environment is foundational to academic excellence, productivity, and sustainable community life.<\/p><\/section><section id=\"rationale-and-institutional-commitment\"><h2 class=\"bar\">Rationale and Institutional Commitment<\/h2><p>The university\u2019s smoke-free policy stems from its vision of promoting <strong>\u201cHealth for Learning and Learning for Health.\u201d<\/strong> The decision was informed by extensive consultation between the <strong>Dean of Student Affairs<\/strong>, <strong>the Medical Services Department<\/strong>, <strong>the College of Dentistry<\/strong>, and the <strong>Sustainability &amp; Global Ranking Unit<\/strong>.<\/p><p>Smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke have been widely proven to increase the risk of chronic respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, oral cancer, and other health complications. Within the university environment\u2014where thousands of young adults spend significant hours studying, researching, and socializing\u2014exposure can create lifelong health risks.<\/p><p>UOA\u2019s leadership recognized the moral and institutional responsibility to act. Accordingly, it committed to eliminating tobacco use on its premises, protecting non-smokers from involuntary exposure, and empowering smokers to quit through professional support programs such as the <strong>Smoking Cessation Clinic<\/strong> housed within the <strong>College of Dentistry<\/strong>.<\/p><p>By enacting this policy, UOA ensures that health protection and sustainability go hand in hand, shaping responsible citizens who respect the rights of others and the planet.<\/p><\/section><section id=\"scope-and-coverage\"><h2 class=\"bar\">Scope and Coverage<\/h2><p>The <strong>Comprehensive Smoke-Free Policy<\/strong> applies to:<\/p><ul class=\"ds-list\"><li>All <strong>university-owned, leased, or operated facilities<\/strong>, including academic and administrative buildings, laboratories, cafeterias, dormitories, libraries, meeting halls, and sports complexes.<\/li><li>All <strong>outdoor areas<\/strong>, including gardens, parking lots, pedestrian paths, courtyards, and shuttle areas.<\/li><li>All <strong>events, gatherings, and activities<\/strong> organized or hosted by UOA, whether on or off campus.<\/li><li>All members of the university community\u2014<strong>students, faculty, administrative staff, contractors, and visitors.<\/strong><\/li><\/ul><p>The prohibition extends to <strong>smoking, vaping, or using any tobacco products<\/strong>, and to <strong>advertising, promoting, or selling<\/strong> such products within university premises.<\/p><p>This wide scope ensures consistency with global best practices in public-health policy and aligns UOA with other leading universities committed to carbon-neutral and health-promoting campuses.<\/p><\/section><section id=\"implementation-and-enforcement\"><h2 class=\"bar\">Implementation and Enforcement<\/h2><p>Successful enforcement depends on education, collaboration, and shared responsibility rather than punishment alone. The university\u2019s implementation strategy combines awareness campaigns, physical measures, and regulatory frameworks.<\/p><h3>1. Awareness and Communication<\/h3><ul class=\"ds-list\"><li>Over <strong>150 \u201cNo Smoking\u201d signs<\/strong> have been strategically placed at entrances, hallways, and public spaces in Arabic and English.<\/li><li>Digital screens and the official university website regularly display health facts about smoking hazards and information on support services.<\/li><li>Every new student and employee receives a <strong>Smoke-Free Campus Handbook<\/strong> during orientation week.<\/li><\/ul><h3>2. Institutional Roles<\/h3><ul class=\"ds-list\"><li>The <strong>Sustainability &amp; Global Ranking Unit<\/strong> monitors policy compliance, collects data on enforcement, and prepares annual reports linking the initiative to SDG 3 and SDG 13.<\/li><li>The <strong>Department of Medical Services<\/strong> provides health consultations, counseling, and referrals to cessation programs.<\/li><li>The <strong>Dean of Student Affairs<\/strong> ensures disciplinary alignment with student regulations, emphasizing education before sanctions.<\/li><\/ul><h3>3. Disciplinary Procedures<\/h3><p>Violations trigger a structured response:<\/p><ol class=\"ds-olist\"><li><strong>First offense:<\/strong> Verbal or written warning accompanied by counseling.<\/li><li><strong>Second offense:<\/strong> Mandatory attendance in a health-awareness session.<\/li><li><strong>Repeated offenses:<\/strong> Administrative penalties as per university disciplinary code.<\/li><\/ol><p>This progressive system maintains fairness while reinforcing accountability.<\/p><\/section><section id=\"health-education-and-behavioral-support\"><h2 class=\"bar\">Health Education and Behavioral Support<\/h2><p>Recognizing that tobacco dependence is a health issue rather than a moral failing, UOA integrates <strong>education and behavioral change support<\/strong> into its anti-smoking strategy.<\/p><h3>Smoking Cessation Clinic<\/h3><p>Operated by the <strong>College of Dentistry<\/strong>, this clinic provides free counseling, medical guidance, and follow-up to individuals seeking to quit. Clients undergo oral-health assessments, receive personalized cessation plans, and are monitored over multiple visits.<\/p><h3>Wellness Ambassadors Program<\/h3><p>Students from the medical, pharmacy, and biomedical engineering departments volunteer as <strong>Wellness Ambassadors<\/strong> to promote peer-to-peer awareness about the risks of smoking and the benefits of healthy living. They organize workshops, distribute educational materials, and serve as role models.<\/p><h3>Collaborative Training<\/h3><p>Annual training sessions are held in partnership with national health institutions such as the <strong>King Hussein Cancer Center<\/strong>, the <strong>Iraqi Anti-Tobacco Society<\/strong>, and the <strong>Ministry of Health<\/strong>. Topics include tobacco-control legislation, nicotine addiction, and community-based intervention strategies.<\/p><\/section><section id=\"campus-environment-and-infrastructure\"><h2 class=\"bar\">Campus Environment and Infrastructure<\/h2><p>UOA\u2019s smoke-free framework is integrated into its sustainable campus design:<\/p><ul class=\"ds-list\"><li><strong>Outdoor seating areas<\/strong> are equipped with greenery and shade structures to provide comfortable smoke-free social spaces.<\/li><li><strong>Waste bins<\/strong> are designed without ashtrays, symbolizing the removal of smoking norms.<\/li><li><strong>Air-quality monitors<\/strong> track environmental improvements in common areas, with data displayed on campus dashboards managed by the ICT Center.<\/li><li><strong>Building ventilation systems<\/strong> have been upgraded to maintain high indoor-air quality.<\/li><\/ul><p>These environmental adjustments reinforce health protection while supporting UOA\u2019s broader sustainability objectives.<\/p><\/section><section id=\"community-engagement-and-outreach\"><h2 class=\"bar\">Community Engagement and Outreach<\/h2><p>The university extends its smoke-free mission beyond campus boundaries through collaboration with <strong>schools, municipalities, and local NGOs<\/strong>.<br>Key outreach activities include:<\/p><ul class=\"ds-list\"><li><strong>\u201cQuit for Life\u201d Campaigns<\/strong> in secondary schools across Al-Anbar Governorate, reaching over <strong>3,000 students annually<\/strong>.<\/li><li>Distribution of <strong>health education leaflets<\/strong> in Arabic and English covering oral hygiene, cardiovascular risks, and environmental impacts of smoking.<\/li><li>Hosting <strong>World No Tobacco Day<\/strong> events with public lectures, art competitions, and exhibitions highlighting sustainable lifestyles.<\/li><\/ul><p>These community-based initiatives amplify awareness and position UOA as a regional advocate for public health.<\/p><\/section><section id=\"research-and-innovation\"><h2 class=\"bar\">Research and Innovation<\/h2><p>As part of its academic mission, UOA encourages faculty and postgraduate students to pursue research addressing smoking-related health issues and behavioral-change strategies.<br>Examples include:<\/p><ul class=\"ds-list\"><li>Studies on the <strong>oral and respiratory impacts of tobacco<\/strong> among young adults in western Iraq.<\/li><li>Investigations into <strong>the relationship between nicotine addiction and stress<\/strong> in university environments.<\/li><li>Development of <strong>AI-based health-promotion applications<\/strong> under the Faculty of Engineering\u2019s digital-health initiative.<\/li><\/ul><p>Such research not only enriches academic knowledge but also informs national public-health policy and contributes to SDG 9 (Innovation and Infrastructure) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).<\/p><\/section><section id=\"monitoring-and-evaluation\"><h2 class=\"bar\">Monitoring and Evaluation<\/h2><p>The effectiveness of the smoke-free policy is tracked through a structured evaluation framework managed by the <strong>Sustainability &amp; Global Ranking Unit<\/strong> in cooperation with the <strong>Quality Assurance Department<\/strong>.<br>Indicators include:<\/p><ul class=\"ds-list\"><li>Number of awareness sessions and participants.<\/li><li>Compliance rates measured through campus inspections.<\/li><li>Feedback from anonymous surveys of students and employees.<\/li><li>Reduction in reported smoking incidents on campus.<\/li><\/ul><p>Results are published annually in the <strong>University Sustainability Report<\/strong> and the <strong>Health and Safety Dashboard<\/strong>, ensuring transparency and continuous improvement.<\/p><\/section><section id=\"digital-transformation-and-ict-integration\"><h2 class=\"bar\">Digital Transformation and ICT Integration<\/h2><p>Information and Communication Technology (ICT) plays a vital role in sustaining compliance and awareness:<\/p><ul class=\"ds-list\"><li>A <strong>digital reporting platform<\/strong> allows students and staff to report violations confidentially.<\/li><li>The <strong>UOA App<\/strong> provides access to cessation resources, appointment booking at the Medical Center, and educational videos.<\/li><li>Data from smart-environment sensors support air-quality research and policy refinement.<\/li><\/ul><p>This technology-enabled governance ensures evidence-based decision-making and efficient implementation aligned with <strong>SDG 9 and SDG 16<\/strong> (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions).<\/p><div class=\"ds-grid c2\"><article class=\"ds-card\"><div class=\"ds-media\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sustainability.uoa.edu.iq\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/smoking-cessation-clinic.jpg\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div><div class=\"ds-body\"><h3><a class=\"stretch\" href=\"https:\/\/sustainability.uoa.edu.iq\/index.php\/2025\/11\/09\/smoking-cessation-clinic-university-of-al-maarif\/\">Smoking Cessation Clinic \u2013 University of Al-Maarif<\/a><\/h3><p>The Smoking Cessation Clinic at the University of Al-Maarif (UOA), operated within the College of Dentistry, is a pioneering initiative that integrates preventive health education with specialized clinical care. The clinic provides comprehensive support for individuals seeking to quit smoking through personalized counseling, behavioral therapy, and medical guidance delivered by qualified dental and health professionals. Services include oral health assessments, carbon monoxide testing, progress tracking, and follow-up consultations to ensure long-term success. In addition to clinical interventions, the clinic conducts awareness campaigns across campus and local communities to educate the public on the health risks of smoking and the benefits of cessation. By combining research, education, and patient care, the clinic reinforces UOA\u2019s leadership in community health promotion and its commitment to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) through effective tobacco control and preventive healthcare initiatives.<\/p><span class=\"ds-more\">Read more <i class=\"ds-ic\" style=\"--i:url(https:\/\/api.iconify.design\/lucide\/arrow-right.svg)\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/span><\/div><\/article><\/div><\/section><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Home\/SDG 3\/3.3.6 3Good Health and Well-being Smoke-Free Policy Indicator 3.3.6 1 evidence items 10 sections SDG 3 Indicators 10 Sustainability Report \u2013 SDG 03 3.1Research on healthcare [List] 3.2Health Graduates [Statics] 3.3.1Health Collaborations 3.3.2Health Outreach 3.3.3Shared Sports Facilities 3.3.4Reproductive Health Services 3.3.5Student Mental Health 3.3.6Smoke-Free Policy 3.3.7Staff Mental Health SDG 3 overview On this pageIntroductionRationale &hellip;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"> <a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/sustainability.uoa.edu.iq\/index.php\/smoke-free-policy-3-3-6\/\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Smoke-Free Policy (3.3.6)<\/span> Read More &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-3048","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"rttpg_featured_image_url":null,"rttpg_author":{"display_name":"Dr.Alaa","author_link":"https:\/\/sustainability.uoa.edu.iq\/author\/dr-ahmad\/"},"rttpg_comment":0,"rttpg_category":" <a href=\"https:\/\/sustainability.uoa.edu.iq\/\" rel=\"tag\">English<\/a>","rttpg_excerpt":"Home\/SDG 3\/3.3.6 3Good Health and Well-being Smoke-Free Policy Indicator 3.3.6 1 evidence items 10 sections SDG 3 Indicators 10 Sustainability Report \u2013 SDG 03 3.1Research on healthcare [List] 3.2Health Graduates [Statics] 3.3.1Health Collaborations 3.3.2Health Outreach 3.3.3Shared Sports Facilities 3.3.4Reproductive Health Services 3.3.5Student Mental Health 3.3.6Smoke-Free Policy 3.3.7Staff Mental Health SDG 3 overview On this pageIntroductionRationale&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sustainability.uoa.edu.iq\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3048","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sustainability.uoa.edu.iq\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sustainability.uoa.edu.iq\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sustainability.uoa.edu.iq\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sustainability.uoa.edu.iq\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3048"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/sustainability.uoa.edu.iq\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3048\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7645,"href":"https:\/\/sustainability.uoa.edu.iq\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3048\/revisions\/7645"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sustainability.uoa.edu.iq\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3048"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}