Smoking ban on college campuses gets initial OK

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — A Senate committee has approved legislation to ban smoking on all state-supported colleges and universities.

The (Springfield) State Journal-Register reports (http://bit.ly/YGI6OP ) the measure passed the higher education committee 7-5. It now moves to the full Senate.

The bill would ban smoking anywhere on a public university or community college campus effective July 1, 2014.

Kathy Drea is a spokeswoman for the American Lung Association in Illinois. She says the ban would promote a healthy learning environment for students, visitors and employees.

Sen. John Sullivan is a Democrat from Rushville who joined Republicans in voting no. They say smoking is legal and the bill goes too far.

Sen. Terry Link is the bill sponsor. The Waukegan Democrat says a ban may prevent people from starting smoking.

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Information from: The State Journal-Register, http://www.sj-r.com