Starting next month, Western Illinois University will ban smoking anywhere on campus. On May 1, the college will start enforcing a state law, that prohibits smoking on public university campuses.
Kristi Mindrup, from the Quad Cities campus, says right now, Illinois law prohibits smoking within 15 feet of college building entrances.
Mindrup says Western appointed a task force to implement the law. It's made up of faculty and administrators, who are now putting the final touches on the smoke-free rules.
She says the task force will put up posters and announce the change on campus next month. And, the group is creating an educational campaign against smoking, that will start next Fall.
Mindrup says Western Illinois University has yet to create a plan for students and faculty who wish to smoke while on campus. But, it may consider a partnership with nearby facilities that have a designated area for smokers.