By Connor Boyd

BLOOMINGTON – Wednesday was the first day the Illinois Smoke Free Campus Act was enforced. The new law has banned smoking on the campus of any Illinois public college.

Illinois State University has had a smoke-free campus prior to the new law, but students still had strong opinions on the state’s ruling.

“As a non-smoker, I like the principal behind it,” said Emily Roux. “It’s not healthy for individuals (and) not healthy for the community, so I appreciate the fact that there are efforts being taken to reduce smoking. However, I do think that it’s kind of an infringement on student rights.”

Students seem to be torn on the issue that limits smoking to strictly inside of cars.

“I can understand not being able to smoke indoors, it’s been that way for a while now,” said Ryan Glynn. “But, I do not think they should lock down the campus and say that we can’t smoke there, because it’s a free area.”

The law only applies to public institutions, and junior Bridget Fitzpatrick said it’s something she thinks will catch on.

“I think it’s a good idea right now. There’s people smoking where they shouldn’t be and when they shouldn’t be, so the fact they are starting to enforce (Illinois Smoke Free Campus) is good, especially for people that don’t like to smoke or are allergic to the tobacco,” Fitzpatrick said.

Many of the state’s private colleges have already put similar bans in place.