CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is now a 100% smoke- and tobacco-free campus. The updated policy builds upon the smoke-free policy implemented in 2014 that banned the use of all smoke-producing tobacco products on campus.
The policy encompasses all forms of tobacco, including but not limited to chewing tobacco, snuff, snus and dissolvable forms such as orbs and strips. Vaping devices such as e-cigarettes and juuls are still prohibited. See the full policy in the Campus Administrative Manual.
Chancellor Robert Jones announced that the policy change was underway in a massmail to campus last fall.
“We are updating this policy to strengthen our Illinois commitment to promoting healthy lifestyles,” Jones said. “I ask everyone to respect our new policy to create a healthy environment for our entire university community.”
The updated smoke- and tobacco-free policy applies to everyone – students, faculty members, staff, students, contracted employees and visitors. The banned locations include all campus-owned property – indoor and outdoor – as well as private vehicles parked on campus-owned property. See the updated university map for official campus boundaries.
University police officers and security guards will begin enforcing the additions to the policy Aug. 26, during the first week of classes. Fines will be consistent with the previous policy – the first ticket is a warning, a second ticket is $25, a third ticket is $50 and any subsequent tickets are $100 each.
Pat Wade, the communications director for the University of Illinois Police Department, said the safety strategy is voluntary compliance, focusing on sharing information and education about smoking and tobacco products. More than 87% of all tickets issued during the five years the smoke-free policy has been in place were warnings.
Updated signs and decals have been applied to campus buildings to notify visitors and remind staff, faculty members and students of the policy change. The campus will continue offering a variety of tobacco-cessation programs through McKinley Health Center and Campus Wellbeing Services.
The use or possession of marijuana is currently prohibited and will remain prohibited after Jan. 1 when the state law legalizing recreational use goes into effect. These university marijuana policies comply with federal law, including the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 and the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989.
For more information about the Smoke and Tobacco Free Campus initiative, visit the website.
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