IGP171 – Tobacco-Free Policy FAQ’s
Updated 5-8-2015
General Revision Questions
What precipitated Eastern in revising its smoke-free policy to a tobacco-free policy?
In August 2014, The State of Illinois passed a law (Smoke-Free Campus Act 098-0985) requiring all
state-supported colleges and universities to be smoke-free by July 1, 2015. See
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=3575&ChapterID=18
Why is Eastern going tobacco free?
Eastern wants to provide and maintain a healthy and safe working and living environment for students,
faculty, staff, and visitors, and a tobacco-free campus is an optimal way to realize the health and safety
benefits while reducing smoking-related and tobacco-related litter throughout campus and complying
with the Illinois Smoke-Free Campus and Illinoi Litter laws.
Are other universities and colleges tobacco-free?
The Illinois Smoke-Free Campus Act requires all public universities and community colleges to become
smoke-free on July 1, 2015. Seven of the 12 public universities will be completely tobacco-free. Eastern
will join over 700 United States colleges and universities with smoke-free or tobacco-free policies. A
national listing of these colleges and universities may be found at: http://www.nosmoke.org/pdf/smokefreecollegesuniversities.pdf
What process was used for implementing the Tobacco- Free Campus Act?
As required by the Illinois Smoke-free Campus Act, Eastern developed an ad hoc committee in late Fall
2104. This committee was charged with reviewing the existing tobacco Internal Governing Policy 171,
and recommending revisions which would allow Eastern to comply with the Illinois Smoke-Free Campus
Act. Members of the committee engaged in benchmarking reviews of the other 11 state universities and
several of Eastern’s feeder community colleges to determine what policy components were being adopted
by a majority of the state-funded institutions. The committee then submitted proposals for both a smokefree campus policy and a tobacco-free campus policy to the President’s Council.
The President’s Council reviewed the proposals, and developed revisions and approved the revisions to
IGP 171 on April 20, 2015.
As per the Illinois Smoke-Free Campus Act, communications and marketing of the revised policy began
prior to May 1.
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Who does this policy apply to?
This policy applies to all individuals, including -- but not limited to – all students, faculty, staff, other
employees, contractors, subcontractors, volunteers, visitors, and members of the public while on any
physical property that is owned, leased, occupied, operated, or otherwise controlled by Eastern Illinois
University. It is applicable at all times.
How is the Tobacco-Free policy being communicated to students, staff, faculty, and potential
visitors?
Communications include but are not limited to:
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Notification of policy to Spring 2015 students, staff, and faculty through Panthermail
Development of a tobacco-free website (http://www.eiu.edu/about/tobaccofree.php)
Notification during the student orientation process
Notification during new hire orientation for faculty and staff;
Informational meetings, postings, and electronic notifications
Community discussions
Campus signage
Various print and digital media
Social media platforms
Communications to outside groups
Contracts/Agreements
Media exposure on and off campus
How will people know where they can and can’t use tobacco?
All campus-owned property will be tobacco-free. Signs will be posted on campus. An online tobacco-free
map identifies campus boundaries, and can be found at: http://www.eiu.edu/about/tobaccofree.php
What will happen to the concrete cigarette receptacles outside buildings?
In conjunction with implementation of the law on July 1, 2015, all cigarette receptacles on campus will be
removed.
Policy Prohibitions
What is considered a tobacco product and therefore prohibited by the policy?
All forms of tobacco are prohibited, including any tobacco product that is smoked, snuffed, or chewed.
All forms of tobacco, including cigarette, pipe, cigar, cigarillos, beedies, water pipes, hookah, marijuana,
weed, herbs, non-tobacco plants or other lighted smoking equipment, smokeless tobacco, snuff, chewing
tobacco, electronic-cigarettes or vaporizers, and any non-FDA approved nicotine delivery are prohibited.
I currently smoke or use other tobacco products. Does this mean I have to quit?
No. The University policy does not require tobacco users to quit using tobacco, but rather to refrain from
using tobacco while on campus. The policy does not regulate personal choice regarding tobacco while
off-campus.
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Does Illinois’ smoke-free campus policy extend to other campus-owned property outside of the
main campus?
Yes. The policy includes all campus property that is owned, leased, occupied, operated, or otherwise
controlled by Eastern Illinois University.
Why are e-cigarettes prohibited?
Both the University policy and the Illinois state law prohibit the use of e-cigarettes. The Illinois SmokeFree Campus Act prohibits the use of products containing or delivering nicotine intended or expected for
human consumption, with limited exception for tobacco use cessation products approved by the FDA.
Electronic cigarettes deliver nicotine derived from tobacco, and have not been approved by the FDA.
While they are not lighted in the combustible way that a traditional tobacco filled cigar or cigarette is,
there is a heating mechanism inside that turns liquid nicotine into a vapor to be inhaled.
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E-cigarettes emit a vapor that contains tobacco byproducts. It is widely believed that this vapor is
dangerous; the extent of the risk is unknown at this time. Preliminary analyses on e-cigarettes
have found that the cartridges contain diethylene glycol, a chemical used in antifreeze that is toxic
to humans, and carcinogens, including nitrosamines.
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E-cigarettes are a relatively new, and extremely unregulated technology. They are not approved
by the FDA as a cessation device – although the-cigarette industry heavily markets them as such.
There is little scientific research on them; therefore, the risks of usage are unknown at this
point. Several severe accidents regarding use of cigarettes have been reported (e.g. poisoning of
young children, exploding cartridges). Consumers have no way of knowing:
 whether e-cigarettes are safe for their intended use;
 how much nicotine or other potentially harmful chemicals are inhaled during use;
 whether they are effective as quit-smoking aids;
 whether they can deliver enough nicotine to satisfy withdrawal effects;
 what the effect of secondhand vapor from e-cigarettes is;
 whether the use of e-cigarettes encourages smokers who might have otherwise
quit to continue smoking and only use e-cigarettes when they are in no-smoking
environments; and
 Whether youth may use e-cigarettes as an introduction to smoking regular
cigarettes.
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Most public health agencies discourage the use of e-cigarettes including:
 American Heart Association
 American Lung Association
 US Food and Drug Administration
 World Health Association
 American College Health Association
 Cancer Action Network
 Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids
These agencies advise smokers who wish to quit or reduce tobacco use to employ FDA-approved nicotine
replacement therapies or medications, in conjunction with behaviorally-based cessation techniques.
The tobacco industry heavily markets e-cigarettes as a cessation device although they have not been
approved by the FDA for this purpose. Allowing them in our policy may lead many smokers to turn to ecigarettes as a cessation device, possibly unknowingly harming their health.
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Is tobacco use allowed in university vehicles?
No. Smoking in university vehicles remains prohibited under the new policy as it has in the past. Other
forms of tobacco use are prohibited within university vehicles as well.
Will there be designated smoking areas or tobacco areas on campus?
No. By law, smoking is prohibited on all Eastern controlled property, effective July 1, 2015. Eastern has
decided to include other forms of tobacco use in its internal governing policy. Establishing designated
smoking areas is not allowed under the state law. Once outside the boundaries of University controlled
properties, tobacco use is subject to local jurisdiction.
Smoking zones and perimeter policies have not been found to be effective or enforceable. Smoking
shelters are expensive to construct and maintain. Campuses with full smoke-free policies have reported
fewer problems with compliance than policies that include smoking areas.
What about using tobacco on adjacent property owned by university neighbors?
Eastern asks that students, faculty, and staff help maintain a positive relationship with our neighbors that
border the campuses. We encourage everyone to respect the property of others by not littering and not
congregating in these areas to use tobacco. We are reaching out to our neighbors, informing them of the
Tobacco-Free policy, and encouraged open communication if a problem arises. Eastern community
members who are using tobacco on neighboring off-campus properties without permission may face city
ordinance violations ranging from littering to trespassing.
Can I smoke in a private vehicle that is parked on university property?
Yes. At this point, smoking in a personal vehicle is not considered a violation of the policy as long as all
windows remain closed and provided that tobacco smoke is not released when exiting from the vehicle.
Cigarette butts and smoking materials must be disposed of properly.
Will smoking be allowed at football games, concerts, or other special events?
No. Smoking will be prohibited at football games, concerts, and other special events occurring on campus
owned property.
Tobacco User Concerns/Questions
Isn't tobacco-use a personal right?
Tobacco use is a legal product for adults. The campus is not asking anyone to quit. However, the
university owns campus property, and can establish policies that protect the health of all campus
members. A tobacco-free policy does not prohibit tobacco use; it merely establishes where use may or
may not occur.
The new policy supports the right of all people on the campus to breathe smoke-free air. The simple
reason for our policy is respect for each other and the environment. We hope that tobacco users who
choose to continue using tobacco will respect our tobacco-free environment out of concern for their
fellow campus community members.
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Does this policy violate my rights as a tobacco user?
There is no fundamental, constitutional right to use tobacco; Illinois law will prohibit smoking at all statesupported colleges (Illinois Smoke-Free Campus Act 098-0985). Eastern’s policy does not require
anyone to quit using tobacco, but rather to refrain from using tobacco on campus. The Public Health Law
Center has a publication that explains this position in more detail
(http://publichealthlawcenter.org/sites/default/files/resources/tclc-syn-constitution-2008_0.pdf)
If I choose to continue to smoke and do not have enough time to leave campus to smoke what am I
supposed to do?
The University is aware that nicotine is a highly addictive drug and simply waiting until lunch-time or
after work will be difficult for some. We encourage the use of nicotine replacement products such as gum
or lozenges for times when it is inconvenient to smoke. Please work with your health care provider to
determine the appropriate product.
Enforcement/Sanctioning
What happens if someone is found violating the policy?
Violations of the Smoke-Free Campus policy will be treated like violations of any other campus policy.
Student violations will follow the student conduct process. Employee violations will follow the
disciplinary process used for similar policy violations. Visitors will be asked to refrain from smoking and,
if they do not comply, may be asked to leave the campus.
How will the policy be enforced?
The campus community will collectively share the responsibility of enforcing the policy by respectfully
letting others know about our new Tobacco-Free Campus.
Many of our classmates, friends, colleagues and visitors may not be aware of the new policy. We all have
a role in helping people comply. If you see someone using tobacco, please politely and respectfully let
him/her know Eastern is a tobacco-free campus. If someone is hostile with you, do not escalate the
situation. Simply walk away and contact Eastern Police, at 911, to inform them of the hostility.
Individuals violating the policy, and specific locations in which the policy is being violated may be
reported through an on-line reporting mechanism found at: http://www.eiu.edu/about/tobaccofree.php
Individuals whose names are provided will be notified through e-mail and campus mail of the policy and
requested to refrain from using tobacco on campus. Repeat offenses for students will be referred to the
Office of Student Standards. Repeat offenses for staff and faculty will be referred to the appropriate
supervisors for progressive discipline.
Why should I comply?
Civility and respect for others will guide the transition toward a smoke-free campus. This policy may be
challenging for some tobacco users, but it is hoped that they will respect the rights of their fellow
members of the University community to breathe smoke-free air.
Will there be consequences for violating the policy?
After a period of education of the campus community, the policy will be enforced through existing
disciplinary procedures. Individuals who violate the policy will be subject to existing campus disciplinary
measures as follows:
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Students will be referred to Student Conduct.
Employees will be referred to the employee's supervisor or Human Resource Services as applicable.
Contractors and subcontractors will be referred to the campus unit responsible for monitoring
performance of the applicable contract.
Campus visitors may be asked to leave campus.
What is the fine for leaving butts on the ground?
Dropping cigarette butts on the ground, putting them in planters or in waterways is littering.
The dumping or spreading of any garbage, rubbish, landscape waste, combustible material or junk on any
street, parkway, public right of way or other publicly owned property is unlawful and considered a
Charleston city ordinance violation which may result in a fine of not less than twenty five dollars ($25.00)
nor greater than five hundred dollars ($500.00). A separate offense may be deemed committed on each
day during or on which violation occurs or continues. (Ord. 11-O-47, 10-18-2011)
Littering the remains of tobacco products or any other related waste product on campus property is
prohibited by the Illinois Litter Control Act, 415 ILCS 105/1-14. Violations of this state law can result in
a mandatory minimum fine for the first offense of $50, and fines up to $1500 and six months in jail.
Cessation Services
Are tobacco cessation services available on campus?
Yes. The Health Education Resource Center will be making available several Freedom From Smoking
Cessation Clinics. These clinics meet over an 7 week period, and are considered the “gold standard” of
cessation programs. For more information, please visit:
http://www.eiu.edu/herc/freedomfromsmoking.php
Is there a cost to cessation services on campus?
Yes. Students who register for Freedom From Smoking will be asked to pay a $30 registration fee. The
overall fee is subsidized through the Student Health Service fee, saving the student $45.
Non-students who register will be asked to pay a $75 registration fee. Faculty, staff, and others who are
considered by Central Management Services as State of Illinois Employees, and who successfully
complete the 7 week clinic as non-smokers, may seek reimbursement for their registration fee from CMS.
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