Smoke-Free Campus Policy

I. Purpose

As of July 1, 2015, and in accord with the Smoke Free Campus Act (Public Act 098-0985), smoking is prohibited on all Campus Property. Campus Property is defined as property that is owned, leased, occupied or otherwise controlled by Northern Illinois University, both indoors and outdoors and in university-owned vehicles. The advertising, sale, or free sampling of tobacco products is also prohibited on campus property.

II. Policy

This policy applies to all individuals, including but not limited to students, faculty, staff, other employees, contractors, subcontractors, vendors, volunteers, visitors, guests, and members of the public. The policy is applicable 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The prohibition includes using and/or carrying any kind of lighted smoking materials. Prohibited materials include but are not limited to any kind of pipe, cigar, cigarette, cigarillo, bidi, kretek, hookah, atomizer, vaporizer, marijuana, weed, herb, and electronic cigarette.

This prohibition does not include (1) smoking associated with a recognized approved religious ceremony, ritual, or activity by American Indians and (2) smoking that is exclusively conducted for the purpose of approved medical or scientific research.

No individual or campus unit may discriminate or retaliate against any person who makes a complaint of a violation of this policy or the Illinois Smoke Free Campus Act or furnishing information concerning a violation to the University or any other person, campus or governing authority. Persons who violate this policy or the Illinois Smoke Free Campus Act may be subject to fines or other disciplinary action. Violations by students may be handled through the processes and procedures of Student Conduct. Violations by employees may be handled through the processes and procedures of Human Resource Services. This policy in no way prohibits the University from taking other appropriate actions in order to respond to violations of this policy or the Illinois Smoke Free Campus Act, which may include but is not limited to proper referral of the matter to outside enforcement entities.