Smoking will be banned from all NIU motor vehicles taken from the motor pool beginning in February, said an NIU transportation manager.

The ban, approved by NIU’s interior facilities environments committee, follows last year’s measure that restricted smoking in NIU buildings, said NIU Transportation Manager Bill Finucane.

The crackdown came from numerous complaints from users of the vehicles during the past few years about cigarette smoke odors, Finucane said.

The policy will affect only vehicles taken from the motor pool rather than permanently assigned units, Finucane said.

Finucane said the policy will reduce cleaning costs on vehicles because the haze that forms on windows from cigarette smoke will be eliminated and the cars will have to be cleaned less frequently.

First-time offenders will receive a verbal warning, he said, adding that a second offense will result in a written warning. Any repeat offenders might receive penalties including termination of their vehicle privileges, Finucane said.

The groups most affected by the policy are faculty who teach off-campus courses and the various organizations which use the cars, vans and buses.

Reactions from the affected groups were positive. Student Association Vice President Tanya Smith, who used the cars for Illinois Student Association meetings throughout the state, said, “I’m a non-smoker so it doesn’t bother me at all.”

However, Smith said she feels the policy does limit an individual’s choice.

“I think that’s great,” said BROTHERS President Chris O’Banner. “I’m a non-smoker and I won’t even let my parents smoke in my car.”