FAQs about Harper's Smoke-Free Campus
We'd like to thank the campus community for submitting their questions. The Smoke-Free Campus Work Group is reviewing each question and clarifying answers. We thank you for your patience. As answers become available, we will post them on this page. Please review updated FAQs below.
We collectively share the responsibility of enforcing the policy by respectfully letting others know about our Smoke-Free Campus.
We all have a role in helping people comply. If you see someone smoking, please politely and respectfully let him/her know Harper is a smoke-free campus. If someone is hostile with you, do not escalate the situation. Simply walk away and contact Harper Police, at 847.925.6330, to inform them of the hostility.
Approach them respectfully and make them aware of the policy. If you need assistance
in how to have this conversation, see the Conversation Toolkit. For repeat violators, in the case of:
a student, contact Student Conduct
an employee, contact Employee Relations Manager
a visitor, contact Harper Police, 847.925.6330
There is no fundamental, constitutional right to smoke cigarettes; Illinois law prohibits smoking at all state-supported colleges (Illinois Smoke-Free Campus Act 098-0985). Harper’s policy does not require anyone to quit smoking, but rather to refrain from smoking on campus. The Public Health Law Center has a publication that explains this position in more detail.
Smoking is prohibited on campus (buildings, parking lots, green areas, sidewalks, etc.) with the following exception: Smoking while in a personal vehicle is not a violation of the policy as long as it does not impact others. Cigarette butts and smoking materials must be disposed of properly.
We use a multi-faceted communication strategy.
Website:
We have a “Welcome to our Smoke-Free Campus” section on our website that provides
information about the smoke-free policy, smoking management and cessation, how to
have conversations about the policy, answers to frequently asked questions and the
opportunity to submit questions.
Signage/Printed Materials:
-Signs describing the policy are posted throughout campus.
-Conversation cards are provided to support individual conversations about the policy.
Announcements/Presentations:
-Periodic communications are made via Harper’s website, student email and student
portal, employee e-newsletter and intranet, social media and the Algonquin Road Marquee
sign.
-Contracts with outside organizations note the smoke-free policy.
-Vendors are notified of the policy.
Harper’s policy is a smoke-free policy, not a tobacco-free policy. However, Harper prohibits chewing tobacco in campus buildings. Chewing tobacco may be used outdoors, so long as the tobacco and any by-products are disposed of properly. Spitting of tobacco juice is prohibited. Violators are subject to disciplinary action according to campus guidelines.