Illinois Colleges to Be Smoke-free Indoors and Out

Illinois' public colleges are going smoke-free - indoors and out - starting next summer. 

Gov. Pat Quinn says he's signed a law that bans indoor and outdoor smoking at all state-supported colleges and universities.  

The bill makes exceptions for smoking inside privately owned vehicles traveling through campus and some activities under the federal American Indian Religious Freedom Act.  A companion bill signed by Quinn also allows smoking on campus inside parked, non-state-owned vehicles.

Quinn says the measure will protect students' health and help nonsmokers avoid unwanted smoke. The bill was sponsored by state Sen. Terry Link of Waukegan and state Rep. Ann Williams of Chicago, both Democrats.     

The ban takes effect July 1, 2015.     

Several Illinois colleges already have adopted smoke-free policies.