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