Campus Chronicle

Issue date: 1/23/06 Section: News

Media Credit: Jacob Devine Not quite 15 feet-Erin Van Bladel, third year anthropology major, finishes a cigarette before class outside BSB. The city´s smoking ban doesn´t affect UIC because the university is zoned as state property.

As of Monday, Jan. 16, Chicago's Clean Indoor Air Ordinance took effect, banning smoking in restaurants, sports arenas, malls, universities and other public places. UIC is already a smoke free campus. However, on campus, the law does not fully apply.

"The policy is under review. UIC is reviewing the smoking policy in light of the city's policy. It will be finalized in a few weeks," said Bill Burton, UIC Campus Spokesperson.

"UIC has had a smoking ban for a number of years now, so we don't allow smoking [inside] anywhere. The only thing that may change is the distance [of smoking from the buildings' entrances]," said Michael DeLorenzo, Acting Associate Vice Chancellor Student Affairs.

According to Chicago law, smokers must also be 15 feet of the entrance to all public places. Violators will be fined $100, and $500 for a second offense if caught within the same year.

However, it has been decided that the UIC campus be treated as Illinois state property, exempt from many Chicago regulations.

"The ban is not fair. Staying 15 feet away is way too much, especially if it's raining or snowing. They should have smoking rooms," said Alexandru Marcu-Christian, a second year electrical engineering major smoking outside of SCE's revolving entrance doors.

While student smokers are against the ordinance, supporters of the ban are happy the city has taken action.

"The Chicago smoking ban will provide a smoke-free environment that will positively affect the lives of all Chicagoans and those who travel to and from by making it a healthier place while making a contribution to improving the quality of life," said Dorine Brand, MPH, Visiting Associate Director of the Wellness Center.

UIC has been a smoke free campus since 1995, in compliance with the state law and university policy. Smoking in buildings is prohibited except in designated smoking Residence Hall rooms and smokers must stay 30 feet from the residence halls' entrances.

"Taking a look at the Chicago smoking ban in application to the UIC community will prove to be beneficial in many ways," Brand said.

Some students believe Chicago's ban will not be taken seriously by their peers if UIC followed in the city's footsteps.

"Students will still smoke inside their dorms even if they're not supposed to. They just open the window and smoke," said Jarrod Kemp, a second year mechanical engineer major.

Many students are also complaining they cannot even smoke in the restaurants around UIC.

"The restaurants in South Campus are part of the city so they have to comply by Chicago law," DeLorenzo said.

However, restaurants with separate bars and taverns can still allow indoor smoking until July 1, 2008.

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