FAQs

Change is in the Air!

What you need to know about Dominican University’s Tobacco-Free Policy

Why has Dominican University decided to go tobacco-free?

The decision to institute a tobacco-free policy is the culmination of several years of study and discussion with students, faculty and staff. Dominican University is committed to providing a safe and healthy working and learning environment for the students, faculty, staff, sisters and campus guests.  The university recognizes that environmental tobacco smoke has been classified as a Group A carcinogen by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Due to the risks associated with tobacco smoke exposure, the university has adopted this tobacco-free policy to minimize health risks, improve the quality of air and enhance the campus environment.

Are other colleges and universities tobacco-free?

Illinois law prohibits smoking on the campuses of all public colleges and universities and Dominican is proud to be part of a growing list of private universities in the state to adopt a tobacco-free policy. Nationally, nearly 1,500 campuses are smoke-free or fully tobacco-free.

What products are prohibited under the tobacco-free policy?

All tobacco‐derived or containing products are prohibited, including, but not limited to, cigarettes (clove, bidis, kreteks), electronic cigarettes, cigars and cigarillos, hookah‐smoked products, and oral tobacco (spit and spitless, smokeless, chew, snuff). This includes the inhaling, exhaling, burning, or carrying of any lighted smoking material and vaping with or without nicotine is not allowed.

Who is affected by the policy?

This policy is in effect for all faculty, staff, students, contract employees, visitors and guests at Dominican University and applies to both the main campus and the Priory campus.

What areas are affected?

The use of tobacco products is prohibited on all areas of the Dominican University property, including but not limited to all indoor spaces, and the property and grounds that make up the two campuses, including parking lots, outdoor seating areas, the athletic fields, performance and community event venues and university vehicles. The policy is in effect for all campus events.

Do I have to quit smoking/using tobacco?

No, you are not expected to quit smoking or using tobacco, but you are expected to refrain while on campus. To learn about available resources to help quit smoking, visit Smoking Cessation Resources.

Where should people go if they want to smoke?

Smoking is permitted on the sidewalks adjacent to the main university campus and off campus. The entrance to the Priory Campus is accessed through Village of River Forest property, which by local ordinance prohibits the smoking of cigarettes, cigars, or pipe tobacco inside or within 25 feet of any building, facility or structure, or within 100 feet of any organized activity within the Park System. Individuals at the Priory campus who wish to smoke must exit from the surrounding parking lot and the park to the public sidewalk.

Individuals who choose to smoke on community sidewalks and streets should be respectful of our university neighbors, the environment and the community. Do not congregate in front of private homes. Cigarette butts should be disposed of properly. Discarding cigarette butts on the ground is littering and introduces toxic chemicals into the ground and water supply. 

Will people be able to smoke in their own vehicles while parked on campus?

Smoking is permitted in personal vehicles, provided that all waste products are disposed of properly. Smoking is not permitted in vehicles owned or leased by the university.

How will the policy be enforced?

Ensuring a safe and healthy environment on campus is a responsibility shared by all members of the Dominican University community. If you encounter or witness someone smoking or using a tobacco product anywhere on campus, please respectfully advise them of the policy and courteously request that he/she extinguish the materials or move off campus to continue smoking.

For members of the Dominican University community, violations will be handled like any other university policy violation. Students are subject to the student conduct process and staff and faculty are subject to the employee disciplinary process.

Isn’t it my right to smoke and/or use tobacco?

While tobacco use is legal for adults, there is no constitutionally protected right to smoke. As a private institution, Dominican University establishes policy and regulations as is necessary and appropriate.  

What resources are available to help quit smoking?

Visit Smoking Cessation Resources to learn about options to aid in quitting smoking.