Tobacco-Free Campus

Smoke-free, Tobacco-free, Vapor-free

As of July 1, 2015, Southwestern Illinois College, in accordance with the Smoke Free Illinois Act and the Illinois Smoke Free Campus Act, prohibits smoking and the use of tobacco products, to include smokeless, e-cigarettes or other devices that simulate visual, sensory and behavioral aspects of smoking, in all college-owned buildings, on all college-owned property, within all spaces leased by the college and in all college-owned, rented or leased vehicles.

This includes the carrying, smoking, burning, inhaling or exhaling any kind of a lighted pipe, cigar, cigarette, hookah, weed, herbs, or other lighted smoking equipment as well as non-tobacco products that are intended to deliver nicotine for human consumption, unless it has been approved by the FDA for tobacco-use cessation or other medical purposes.

Exception: This policy does not apply to persons in non-college-owned or leased vehicles while passing through campus or personal vehicles parked on campus, or properties covered under the Smoke Free Illinois Act, or enclosed laboratories, not open to the public, in an accredited university or government facility where activity of smoking is exclusively conducted for the purpose of medical or scientific, health-related research. Smoking also doesn’t include smoking that is associated with native recognized religious ceremony, recital, or activity in accordance with Sections 1996 and 1996a of Title 42 of the United States Code.

Need Help Quitting?

Information on how to quit smoking can be found in the Academic Advising/Counseling Department as well College Activities, and the Campus Information booth. Also, you can find smoking cessation education and awareness programs through the following organizations:

The National Cancer Institute offers live help online or toll free at 1-877-448-7848. This organization has information specifically for women called smoke free women.

Fines and Discipline for Smoking/Tobacco Violations

Anyone found in violation of the Smoke Free Illinois Act and/or the Illinois Smoke Free Campus Act are subject to fines and/or progressive discipline under the Student Rights and Conduct Code or the employment policies and procedures, as well as fines in accordance with the Smoke Free Illinois Act and/or fine schedule below:

First Citation: $50 Second Citation: $100 Subsequent citations, within a 12-month period, may be in an amount up to $250 depending on the nature of the violation. Repeat offenses will be referred to the vice president for Student Development (for students) or the director of Human Resources (for employees), for progressive discipline, up to and including expulsion/termination.

Payment of Fines: All fines are to be paid within 28-days of the date that the citation was issued, unless an appeal is received in accordance with appeal process below. Payment is to be made at the Business Office for all SWIC citations. State citations must be paid in accordance with the notification letters from the Department of Public Safety. Failure to pay these fines will result in an Academic Restriction placed on the students’ account, as well as submitted for recovery through the state of Illinois. Employees who fail to pay these fines will also be submitted for recovery through the state of Illinois.
Fines/Discipline Appeals Process

Anyone fined for violating the Smoke-free/Tobacco-Free policy or law has the right to appeal. This appeal must be submitted in writing to the director of Public Safety or designee within 10 calendar days of receipt of the written notice/citation. The appeal must specify the basis for the requesting review of the violation.

The Hearing Committee will consider the appeal and will communicate in writing to the violator their decision to uphold or overturn the citation. The decision of the Hearing Committee will be final.