In May 2015, the campus announced that modifications would be made to its Smoke-Free Campus Policy in accordance with the State of Illinois Smoke-Free Campus Act (110 ILCS64/1-99). This law requires all public institutions of higher education in Illinois to prohibit smoking on campus property and to enforce prohibition through disciplinary action and fines.
In a recent massmail to campus, C. Renée Romano, the vice chancellor for student affairs, announced the protocol for enforcement of the policy.
The University of Illinois Police Department, along with campus security personnel under their supervision, will enforce the policy as follows:
- First violation: written warning
- Second violation: $25 fine. Note that this fine can be waived by completing an online educational program.
- Third violation: $50 fine
- Fourth violation and beyond: $100 fine for each occurrence
To report violations, call UIPD’s non-emergency telephone number at 217-333-8911 so that an officer may be dispatched.
As required by the act, the scope of campus property covered by the policy has been expanded. Smoking is now prohibited on all property owned, leased, occupied or controlled by the campus, including Willard Airport and other areas outside of the main campus. Refer to the Smoke-free campus map, which illustrates campus property boundaries.
The Urbana campus has been at the forefront of going smoke-free and remains committed to building a culture of health and voluntary compliance. Help is available for those who would like to quit tobacco. More information about these resources can be found on the Smoke-Free Campus website.