Policy for Smoke Free Campus

Policy for Smoke Free Campus

Policy for Smoke-Free Campus
Approved Board of Management on 12th January 2019
Notification Notified by Registrar vide notification No. SRHU/Reg/OO/2019-04 (i) dated 15th January 2019
Reviewed / Revised Board of Management on 29th March 2022
Notification Notified by Registrar vide notification No. SRHU/Reg/OO/2022-58 (i) dated 5th April 2022
Next Review 2025–26
  1. Short Title & Commencement
    1. This Policy shall be called the “Policy for Smoke-Free Campus” of Swami Rama Himalayan University.
    2. This Policy shall be deemed to have come into force from the date of approval of the Board of Management of the University.
  2. Purpose
    1. To promote a healthy, clean, and safe learning and working environment by eliminating exposure to tobacco smoke and encouraging a smoke-free lifestyle, in support of SDG 3.
  3. Scope
    1. All students, faculty, staff, and administrators.
    2. Visitors, contractors, and vendors.
    3. All properties owned, leased, or controlled by the institution, including buildings, grounds, parking areas, and vehicles.
  4. Goals
    1. Protect health by reducing exposure to second-hand smoke.
    2. Discourage tobacco use among the campus community.
    3. Support cessation efforts for those who wish to quit smoking.
    4. Promote environmental sustainability by reducing cigarette waste and pollution.
  5. Strategic Actions
    1. Awareness and Education
      1. Conduct regular anti-smoking campaigns, seminars, and health awareness activities.
      2. Integrate information on tobacco-related health risks into school orientation and health courses.
      3. Display “Smoke-Free Campus” signage in strategic areas.
    2. Cessation Support
      1. Provide access to counselling and smoking cessation programs through the campus health center or local health units.
      2. Encourage peer support networks for students and staff who want to quit smoking.
    3. Policy Enforcement
      1. Campus security and designated officers shall monitor compliance with the policy.
      2. Violations may result in progressive disciplinary actions or mandatory attendance in health counselling sessions.
      3. A reporting mechanism (e.g., hotline or online form) shall be established for community members to report violations confidentially.
    4. Environmental Action
      1. Remove and properly dispose of existing smoking-related waste (e.g., cigarette butts, ashtrays).
      2. Promote clean campus initiatives to reinforce environmental responsibility.
  6. Implementation Mechanism
    1. Directorate of Student’s Affairs and Welfare will ensure the health and safety of all stakeholders.
    2. Coordinate with local health departments, student organizations, and faculty associations.
  7. Monitoring and Evaluation
    1. Conduct annual surveys to assess awareness, compliance, and smoking prevalence among the campus population.
    2. Regularly review and update the policy to align with national tobacco control laws and SDG 3 targets.
    3. Report progress to the institution’s Sustainability Committee and include outcomes in the annual SDG report.
  8. This policy shall be reviewed every three years or earlier if required to accommodate new educational practices, regulatory requirements, or emerging student needs.
  9. The University reserves the right to interpret, alter, amend, modify, cancel or withdraw any or all provision mentioned herein above in this policy without any notice.
  10. In case of any dispute, the decision of the Vice Chancellor of the University shall be final and binding.
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International Endowed Chair Professor

Prof Rakesh Kumar

Prof Rakesh Kumar is the Founder and President of the Breast Cancer in Young Women Foundation (USA), dedicated to vaddressing the distinct issues affecting young women with breast cancer. He also serves as the International Endowed Chair Professor at the Cancer Research Institute of the Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences. Additionally, he holds adjunct professorships at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and Virginia Commonwealth University.

Dr Kumar earned his Ph.D. from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in 1984 and began his research career at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in January 1986. From 1988 to 2017, he held various academic and leadership positions —including faculty member, tenured professor, distinguished professor, endowed chair, department chair, and research leader—at esteemed institutions such as Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York and the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. From 2017 to 2022, he served as the National Chair for Cancer Research for the Government of India and as a distinguished professor, continuing his innovative work in breast cancer research.

With nearly 40 years of research and professional experience, Dr. Kumar has made conceptual contributions to the field of cancer research (h-index 108, citations >50,000). He has authored over 325 peer-reviewed publications, edited or co-edited nine books, and delivered 290 invited lectures worldwide. His work has been featured on the covers of 18 major cancer journals and has been highlighted in institutional research reports of the MD Anderson Cancer Center.

A passionate educator and mentor, Dr. Kumar has guided 67 trainees throughout his career. He serves on the editorial boards of multiple leading cancer journals and has served on the editorial boards of 21 top cancer journals. His global reputation is further demonstrated by his participation in about 100 peer-review panels for cancer research funding in the US and internationally over the past 28 years.

Dr. Kumar's innovative research has earned him numerous prestigious honors, including the Hinkle Society Faculty Award at Penn State University (1994), the Dalla/Fort Worth Living Legend Faculty Achievement Award in Basic Sciences (2004), the Ranbaxy Research Award (2006), and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Association of Indian Scientists in Cancer Research (2013), among others. Dr. Kumar's pioneering research continues to have a profound influence on the fields of oncology and breast cancer, opening up new opportunities for biomedical scientists and trainees worldwide.