Illinois Senate Committee OKs Smoking Ban On College Campuses

State legislators hope to clear the air for Illinois college students beginning next year. 

A Senate committee on Tuesday approved a state-wide measure that would ban smoking anywhere on the campuses of public universities or community colleges, according to the State Journal-Register.

Per Illinois law, smokers already must steer clear of public buildings and stay 15 feet from building entrances. The State Journal-Register points out this legislation would ban smoking on all parts of campus, including vehicles.

A smoking ban took effect in August at the College of DuPage after the board of trustees formally approved a "tobacco-free campus." The Glen Ellyn campus joined about 650 other colleges or universities nationwide with similar smoking bans.

McHenry County College and Waubonsee Community College's campuses also have smoking bans in place.

If the state-wide ban is approved, it would take effect July 1, 2014.

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