University Council unanimously approved a new smoking policy Wednesday to comply with the Smoke Free Illinois Act.

The act, which takes effect Jan 1, 2008, prohibits smoking within 15 feet of building entrances, walkways, windows and areas adjacent to ventilation systems on university owned, leased and operated property.

The Campus Security and Environmental Quality Committee put together the policy in response to state legislation.

“We’re pretty much ahead of every other public university in Illinois,” said Bob Albanese, associate vice president for Finance & Facilities. “A lot of [universities] are dragging their feet on this. That’s not the NIU style and I think we’re right where we want to be in terms of being in compliance with legislation.”

The university is already implementing the policy, Albanese said. Cigarette urns are being moved and signs are being placed in places where smoking is prohibited, he said.

The policy should be fully implemented by winter break, Albanese said.

“We’re going to try and be rational and use common sense,” NIU President John Peters said. “We don’t want to be in a position of encouraging something that we think all the scientific evidence points to a lot of health risks.”

The major change and complication is the issue with the 15-feet rule, Albanese said.

The layout around some buildings requires more than 15 feet and the university will have to re-landscape around moving the cigarette urns, he said.

Faculty Senate President Paul Stoddard suggested building shelters for smokers to University Council.

“I worry about people who are going to smoke anyway standing out in the rain, cold, snow and ice and getting sick and not being able to come to work,” Stoddard said.

Albanese said the aesthetics of the campus related to such shelters and budgeting are both potential issues.

“I understand the health reasons for these regulations, they are serious, but there are many good folks who are smokers,” said Jeff Kowalski, an art professor. “Let’s not confuse the health issue with the people.”