Tobacco-, Vape- and Cannabis-Free Campus Policy | University of Illinois Springfield

The purpose of this policy is to provide an environment that promotes the health, well-being and safety of students, faculty, staff and visitors at the University of Illinois Springfield by minimizing the negative effects of tobacco, e-cigarette and cannabis products as well as to improve fire safety and encourage a healthier, more sustainable environment.

Scope

This policy applies to any individual on campus property, including but not limited to students, faculty, staff, other employees, contractors, subcontractors, volunteers, visitors and members of the public, and is applicable 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Authority

Pursuant to the University of Illinois Statutes and the General Rules Concerning University Organization and Procedure, the UIS Chancellor is the chief executive officer for the campus and has the responsibility for the safety of personnel and property on the campus. This policy supports and furthers the goals of the IL Smoke-Free Campus Act , the IL Smoke-Free Campus Act Addendum, the Smoke-Free Illinois Act, 410 ILCS 82/1 – 90, the federal Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988, the federal Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act, the Illinois Cannabis Control Act, the federal Controlled Substance Act and the Litter Control Act, 415 ILCS 105/1 – 14, which prohibits discarding litter on public property in Illinois.

Smoking and use of tobacco, e-cigarettes (vaping) and cannabis products is prohibited on all campus property at the University of Illinois Springfield, both indoors and outdoors, in university-owned vehicles and in privately owned vehicles parked on or traveling through campus property, or as part of any university activity. The sale, advertising or free sampling of tobacco, e-cigarette or cannabis products is also prohibited on campus property. Littering the remains of tobacco or cannabis products or any other related waste product on campus property is further prohibited.

Definitions

“Campus property” means any property owned, leased, occupied, operated or otherwise controlled by the University of Illinois Springfield, including but not limited to academic and auxiliary buildings, classrooms, laboratories, residences, residence halls, elevators, stairwells, restrooms, roofs, meeting rooms, hallways, lobbies and other common areas, conference facilities, athletic complexes and facilities, exterior open spaces, shuttle buses, shuttle bus stops, university-owned parking lots, driveways, loading docks, university-owned streets, sidewalks and walkways.

“Smoking” means:

lighting, burning, inhaling or exhaling any type of matter or substance that contains tobacco, including but not limited to cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, pipes, beedies, kreteks, water pipes, bongs and hookahs;
lighting or burning of non-tobacco plants or cannabis; and
using electronic cigarettes.

“Tobacco products” means all forms of tobacco, including but not limited to cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, pipes, beedies, kreteks, water pipes, bongs and hookahs, electronic cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, snuff, chewing tobacco and any non-FDA approved nicotine delivery device or product.

Processes/Procedures/Guidelines

1. The campus shall post notices bearing the message “Tobacco-Free, Vape-Free and Cannabis-Free Campus” or the international “No Tobacco” symbol or similar signage at critical areas across the campus, such as at building entrances. However, this policy applies to all campus property whether or not such notices are posted.

2. Organizers of and attendees at public events, such as conferences, meetings, public lectures, social events, cultural events and sporting events, as well as non-university events held on campus property, must abide by this policy. Organizers of such events are responsible for informing attendees of this policy.

3. An individual may inform someone using tobacco products, e-cigarettes or cannabis on campus property of this policy and request that the user comply with the policy. Noncompliant individuals who are perceived as threatening or violent may be referred to UIS Campus Police. An individual or campus subject to the prohibitions of this policy may not discriminate or retaliate in any manner against a person for making a complaint of a violation of this policy or furnishing information concerning a violation to a person, campus or governing authority.

4. Individuals found to be noncompliant will be subject to existing campus disciplinary measures:

For students, such noncompliance will be referred to the Office of the Dean of Students.
For employees, such noncompliance will be referred to the employee’s supervisor and Human Resources.
For contractors and subcontractors, such noncompliance will be referred to the campus unit responsible for monitoring performance of the applicable contract.

Visitors and members of the public who refuse to comply with this policy may be asked to leave campus or referred to UIS Police.

5. Requests for variances or exceptions to this policy must be requested in advance, and in writing, to Human Resources.

Policy approved 1.28.15 for effective date of 7.1.16

Policy revised and approved by Chancellor's Cabinet 12.11.19 for effective date of 12.11.19