Gulf University for Science and Technology (GUST) is committed to maintaining a healthy, safe, and clean learning environment for all members of its community. In alignment with SDG 3.3.6: Smoke-Free Policy, the University enforces a strict policy that limits smoking to designated outdoor areas while keeping all indoor and learning spaces completely smoke-free.

Recognizing the well-documented dangers of tobacco use and secondhand smoke, GUST introduced its Smoke-Free Building Policy in 2014 to protect students, faculty, staff, and visitors from the harmful effects of smoking. Smoking inside any University building or near entrances, classrooms, or hallways is strictly prohibited. Secondhand smoke poses serious health risks to non-smokers, especially in enclosed or crowded spaces, and this policy aims to eliminate exposure within all campus facilities.

To ensure compliance, GUST enforces clear disciplinary measures: students who violate the smoke-free policy receive a formal warning upon the first offense and face expulsion upon a second violation, while staff violations may result in dismissal. These measures reflect the University’s zero-tolerance approach to indoor smoking and its proactive stance on protecting public health.

Designated outdoor smoking areas are located a few meters away from main buildings to accommodate smokers while maintaining clean air within campus grounds. This balanced approach aligns with both categories of the indicator — “smoking-free campus” within buildings and “smoking in designated areas” externally — ensuring that health and respect for community well-being are upheld simultaneously.

Through this ongoing commitment, GUST continues to promote a smoke-free, health-conscious culture, supporting Kuwait’s national health goals and the broader mission of SDG 3: ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all.