The U. of I. Police Department last week started citing smokers who flout the campus’s smoking ban.
Initiated by students and officially called the Smoke-Free Campus initiative, the smoking ban for all campus locations took effect in January 2014.
A state law now bans smoking on all Illinois college campuses, and a subsequent law requiring an enforcement component went into effect last week.
Deputy Police Chief Skip Frost said patrol officers and campus security personnel in the first week already had handed out 34 citations, mostly to students, for smoking illegally on campus.
He said problem areas have included campus housing and the library, with those locations being monitored by building security staff.
“Volunteer compliance is something we absolutely want to see,” he said. “We’re not using this to raise revenue and we’re not doing it to be heavy-handed – but we are required to enforce the law.”
Frost said he worked with the Smoke-Free Campus committee to create a fine structure that meets the requirements of state law and gives violators every opportunity to change their behavior.
Under it, those caught smoking in the first instance would be given a written warning. A second offense would lead to a $25 fine that could be waived by completing an online educational program. A third offense would be a $50 fine and a fourth would increase the fine to $100.
The written citations are similar to a notice to appear in court, which are used for ordinance and other minor violations. Citations will be kept on file by police to track frequency and fine levels.
Frost said he and his officers have noted that most smokers on campus have complied with the 2014 ban. Many, he said, have figured out off-campus locations to go to for their cigarette break.
“Most people get it, they understand the rules and the need to follow them,” he said. “I have noticed a difference; there are fewer people publicly smoking on campus.”
He said the fine structure is aimed at repeat holdouts that may think smoking on campus will be ignored.
Enforcement will not be the highest priority with his officers, he said, but it will be addressed at a higher frequency.
“We want people to know that we will be enforcing this and we will cite you for smoking on campus,” he said. “We may not always be able to respond immediately based on other priorities, but we will respond.”
He said the low fees and opportunities to change behavior are designed to promote a “good-faith effort with the community.”
He said public events such as football games may continue to be an enforcement challenge considering there is alcohol involved and some attendees don’t have a direct connection to the university and may not be aware of the ban.
He said if someone refuses to quit smoking on campus property, police have a “last resort” option of issuing a notice banning them from university property.
