Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority reprimanded Erasmus University about smoking ban

The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority addressed Erasmus University at the end of 2024 over the enforcement of the smoking ban. The ban needs to be made more clearly visible on the Woudestein campus. No fine was issued, although this may still follow if a next inspection shows that the warning has not been acted upon.

The smoking ban on the Woudestein campus needs to be communicated more clearly, according to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA). This organisation inspects whether educational institutions properly enforce the statutory smoking ban. The NVWA itself does not comment on inspections or their results for individual institutions, an NVWA spokesperson says. A spokesperson for Erasmus University does confirm that the NVWA addressed the university at the end of 2024, stating that the smoking ban needs to be communicated better.

In 2024, the NVWA issued eleven fines and fifteen official warnings after a total of 89 inspections at various types of educational institutions. “In order to impose a fine, the NVWA must substantiate in a report of findings why the violation can be attributed to the institution”, the NVWA spokesperson explains by email. “For example because the caretaker walks past a smoker without addressing them. Or if smoking takes place for a longer period of time and no one addresses the smokers.”

After an official warning or a fine, a re-inspection follows after three months. “If only compliance assistance has been provided (so no official warning or fine was issued), a re-inspection does not necessarily follow and that time frame does not apply.” According to this guideline, Erasmus University therefore did not receive an official warning.

‘Shared responsibility’

At the end of 2025, representatives of all departments and tenants on campus (such as catering outlets) at Erasmus University were asked whether they would be willing to address smokers in future and ask their colleagues and staff to do the same. “We would like to call on you to take shared responsibility in enforcing this smoke-free policy”, the email from Real Estate & Facilities (REF) states. “When you see staff, students or visitors smoking on campus, we kindly ask you to address them about their behaviour and remind them of our smoke-free policy and the statutory obligations.”

Since 1 August 2020, there has been a smoking ban at all Dutch educational institutions, including all locations of Erasmus University. All tobacco and smoking products, including e-cigarettes, are prohibited. Smoking is only allowed outside the blue lines drawn around educational buildings.

Yet smoking within the blue lines is still common, according to a report by EM reporter Feba Sukmana. Vapers and smokers are hardly ever addressed there, they say themselves. If they are addressed at all, they pay little attention to it. “This is my regular spot”, psychology student Baturalp said under the footbridge between the library and the Theil building. “When I take a break while studying in the library, I come here and light two cigarettes.” “Everyone keeps smoking anyway, even lecturers”, his fellow student said.

During Sukmana’s round of the campus, there appeared to be little enthusiasm for addressing smokers, among both staff and students. A library staff member sometimes does so when people are standing near the entrance. “The smoke drifts into the library and that can be annoying to visitors.” IT worker Edwin took a different view: “Why should I speak to smokers?”, he responded rhetorically. “If the security guard can’t get them to move on, why would I want to try?” A law student does do it often. “I have asthma and I really find smokers very annoying.” When she leaves the Sanders building, she often walks through a cloud of smoke, she said. “Sometimes people even blow smoke in your face.” She then looks at them angrily and addresses them, she said. But it does not have much effect, the student noticed.

No fines for students or staff

The university’s Executive Board does not want to issue fines to smoking students or staff, a spokesperson says. “The university deliberately does not choose a model with structural repressive enforcement or actively issuing fines to individuals. Instead, the emphasis is on prevention, visibility and addressing behaviour. Campus security and other staff address people where appropriate and possible, but the smoking ban is explicitly also a shared responsibility of the campus community.” The REF department is working on improving ‘smoking ban signage, including stickers and other visual indications’. It is also looking at how behavioural influence – also known as nudging – can contribute to better compliance with the smoking ban.