For Immediate Release
Sunday, August 17, 2014
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Signs New Law to Restrict Display of E-Cigarettes Across Illinois
CHICAGO – Governor Pat
Quinn today signed legislation to prohibit smoking on the campuses of all
state-supported colleges and universities. The smoking ban takes effect
July 1, 2015 and applies to both indoor and outdoor spaces on campuses.
The Governor also signed a law to restrict the display of e-cigarettes. Today’s
action is part of Governor Quinn’s agenda to protect and improve the health and
well-being of all people in every community across Illinois.
“Illinois’ college
students shouldn’t be subject to unwanted cigarette smoke on the campuses they
call home,” Governor Quinn said. “We want all schools to be healthy, clean and
productive places of learning for Illinois’ bright young minds. This new law
will improve the health of our students and encourage healthier lifestyles
after college graduation.”
Senate Bill 2202,
sponsored by State Senator Terry Link (D-Waukegan) and State Representative Ann
Williams (D-Chicago), creates the Smoke Free Campus Act that prohibits all
smoking on state-supported college and university campuses in Illinois
beginning July 1, 2015.
"Smoke free policies
have been proven to result in lower smoking prevalence
rates. That's one of the many reasons the American Lung Association is
proud to have worked alongside state legislators on the Smoke Free Campus Act,”
American Lung Association of the Upper Midwest CEO Lew Bartfield said. “In
addition, the new law will provide a healthy learning environment that promotes
health and wellness for students, faculty, staff and visitors at all public
colleges and universities in Illinois. The law not only minimizes toxic
secondhand smoke exposure but also improves the campus environment by reducing
smoking related litter. We applaud the Illinois State Legislature and
Governor Pat Quinn for passing and signing the Illinois Smoke Free Campus
Act."
“Smoking remains the leading preventable cause of death,” Illinois Department
of Public Health Director Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck said. “Smoke-free campuses
make it more difficult for students and staff to smoke, thereby decreasing the
number of people who smoke, and reducing the number of people who start.”
Exceptions to the law are
made for smoking inside privately owned vehicles traveling through campus and
certain activities allowed under the Federal American Indian Religious Freedom
Act. A companion bill signed today by Governor Quinn, House Bill 3961,
allows smoking on campus inside parked, non-state-owned vehicles. The Smoke
Free Campus Act requires each institution to establish a community task force
by December 31, 2014 to coordinate the implementation of the act.
Currently in Illinois, the following
universities and colleges are smoke-free: Aurora University, Blessing-Rieman
College of Nursing, City Colleges of Chicago (7 colleges), College of DuPage,
Danville Area Community College, Greenville College, Hannibal LaGrange
University, McHenry County College, Olivet Nazarene University, Rush
University, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, University of
Illinois at Chicago, Waubonsee Community College and Wheaton College.
Additionally, there are current
efforts to establish smoke-free/tobacco-free campuses at Southern Illinois
University and Illinois State University. The other state-supported higher
education institutions that would be mandated to become smoke-free
include: Chicago State University, Eastern Illinois University, Governors
State University, Western Illinois University, Northern Illinois University,
Northeastern Illinois University and any community college subject to the
Public Community College Act.
Other states with colleges and universities that have 100 percent smoke-free
policies include: California, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky,
Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas,
Virginia and Wisconsin.
“A college education can put people ahead in life, but smoking can do just the
opposite,” Senator Link said. “This new law will clear the air on campuses
statewide and help produce healthier graduates.”
"This is a continuation of the efforts of Smoke Free Illinois to protect
Illinoisans from the very significant danger of secondhand smoke,"
Representative Williams said. "This initiative will extend important public health
protections to those studying, working and living at our public college and
university campuses."
Governor Quinn today also signed House Bill 5868, sponsored by State
Representative Kathleen Willis (D-Northlake) and State Senator John G. Mulroe
(D-Chicago), which requires that alternative nicotine products such as
e-cigarettes be displayed under the same restrictions as cigarettes. The
products must be sold from behind a counter, in an age-restricted area or in a
sealed case, and may not be dispensed from a self-service display. A previously
passed law prohibits the sale of alternative nicotine items to those under 18
years of age. House Bill 5868 is effective Jan. 1, 2015.
“While many residents may use e-cigarettes to kick bad habits, these products
have no place within arm’s reach along the aisles of our pharmacies and grocery
stores,” Governor Quinn said. “This new law will ensure e-cigarettes are safely
displayed behind the counter, where they belong.”
Governor
Quinn has long supported public health improvement measures in Illinois.
Shortly after taking office in 2009 the Governor signed Senate Bill 2757, which
strengthens enforcement of the Smoke Free Illinois Act by providing additional
guidelines for writing citations.
In
2012, Governor Quinn signed into law a $1 per pack increase in the price of
cigarettes, providing $350 million in revenue and dollar-for-dollar federal
matching funds of $350 million for Medicaid. The American Cancer Society
estimated the increase would prevent some 77,000 young people from smoking and
prompt an additional 60,000 adults to quit. In 2013, Governor Quinn signed a
law that bans the sale of electronic cigarettes to minors.
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