Beginning July 1, 1986, students and faculty were allowed to smoke only in designated areas, which included private, enclosed offices; open spaces and streets outside UT buildings; lounges specifically designed for people to smoke; lobby areas of sports complexes; and rooms in residence halls. The UT Institute of Agriculture adopted a policy of allowing smoking only in designated areas on April 3, 1987.
On December 15, 1989, Chancellor John Quinn and Vice President for Business and Finance Eli Fly issued a joint memo to employees, which applied to students as well, stating: “Effective February 1, 1990, university buildings, offices, shops and laboratories will be designated ‘no smoking.’ The current policy on smoking will be expanded to provide a total smoke-free working environment for the university’s faculty and staff. The total ban on smoking will extend to enclosed offices, cafeterias, hallways, restrooms, lobby areas, study areas, lounge areas, and other facilities.” Students circulated petitions about the blanket ruling, and faculty, staff, and students pointed to areas on campus with special ventilation that would allow smoking.
On January 25, 1990, Chancellor Quinn announced that the no-smoking policy would be revised to allow smoking in adequately ventilated areas and announced in February 1990 that the new relaxed policy would take effect on March 1 after Physical Plant employees completed surveying buildings to identify areas with proper ventilation that could be designated as smoking areas. In reaction to the proposed ban, State Senator Riley Darnell (D-Clarksville) successfully introduced legislation requiring that smoking areas be designated in state buildings if smoking was to be banned.
Following the 2005 academic year, the smoking rooms in the library and allowable smoking in residence halls was discontinued. The 2006–7 Hilltopics carried the policy as “Smoking is not permitted in University-owned buildings. Select entrances to buildings are also smoke-free, and are clearly marked.”