Modifications made to Smoke-Free Campus Act
April 30, 2015
Chancellor Phyllis Wise sent out a mass email to the campus community regarding changes to the State of Illinois’ Smoke-Free Campus Act. Effective July 1 , higher education institutions in Illinois that are supported by the state will prohibit smoking on campus.
According to the email, the act will require that each institution communicate to the students and guests on campus the prohibitions outlined by the act.
Officially referred to as Public Act 098-0985, the policy cites a 2006 Surgeon General report finding that “there is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke.” The act defines campus as “all property, including buildings, grounds, parking and lots and vehicles that are owned or operated by a State-supported institution of higher education.”
Chancellor Wise referred to “modifications” to the University’s current “Smoke-Free Campus” initiative, which was put into place January of 2014, to be in accordance with the state-wide policy, but did not specifically outline the changes.
