U Of U Enforcing Tobacco-Free Policies At Rice-Eccles Stadium
Sep 4, 2019, 3:21 PM | Updated: 3:24 pm
Aerial view of Rice-Eccles stadium during the Utah BYU game November 22, 2008. Photo by Don Green
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The University of Utah will no longer offer smoking areas at Rice-Eccles Stadium, school officials said Wednesday.
The announcement came as the university joined over 1,800 other schools in going 100% smoke and tobacco free.
Additionally, fans will no longer be able to leave and re-enter the stadium once a ticket has been scanned. Officials said hand stamps, wrist bands or other re-entry options will not be available.
University officials began enforcing the rule last year and said the policy will apply to events at the Jon M. Huntsman Center as well.
The policy is effective immediately and is in effect 24 hours a day, seven days a week. No smoking boundaries include any property owned, leased or controlled by the university such as buildings, vehicles, parking lots, residential and recreational areas, athletic venues, streets, sidewalks, hospitals and clinics.
The student-driven proposition was adopted in July 2017. It asked individuals on campus to refrain from using tobacco products such as e-cigarettes, vape pens, cigars, pipes, chewing tobacco or any other nicotine product.
Officials said verbal notices and requests will be the primary means for communicating the rule but anyone who disrupts campus operations is subject to police engagement. They could be punished with a Class C misdemeanor offense for disturbing the peace.
No. 13 Utah hosts Northern Illinois at Rice-Eccles Stadium in the Utes’ home opener on September 7 at 11 a.m.
