Smoking ban proposal moves forward - Wandtv.com, NewsCenter17, StormCenter17, Central Illinois News-

SPRINGFIELD - A plan to ban smoking on all state-supported universities and colleges is moving forward.

The higher education committee passed the proposal 7-5.

The plan seeks to  ban smoking anywhere on a public university or community college campus effective July 1, 2014.

Supporters say the proposal speaks to a public health issue while opponents say the bill goes too far.

The proposal now goes to the full Senate for a vote.