By Madison Mings

Editor

SPRINGFIELD – Lincoln Land Community College became a smoke-free college on July 1, 2015.

Previously on LLCC’s college campus, students were allowed to smoke outside buildings.. The ashtray stand to put your cigarettes out in was right by the bus stop area, and there was another bus stop-looking building  called the “smoking hut.”

There were a couple of ashtray bins everywhere, so people wouldn’t litter, but some people still did.

The smokers had the freedom to just light a cigarette walking to their cars or any place outside as they pleased. But students and faculty who smoke aren’t allowed to do that anymore, unless they are inside their cars.

“I’m happy. I have asthma, and my parents smoke at home, so it’s a better environment for me to be in here to have the college be smoke free,” said student Cassandra Lazar.

I spoke to LLCC police officer Dave Mahan about the college being smoke free and asked him a few questions about the new rule.

The Lamp: What are the rules for the smoke-free campus?

Dave Mahan: “No products (of smoking) other than in your vehicle.”

The Lamp: I heard you have to have both feet inside your car while smoking?

Dave Mahan: “Yes, inside the vehicle entirely.”

The Lamp: How many tickets, warnings, and repeat offenses been issued?

Dave Mahan: “Their are three shifts, so we don’t have the statistical answer, but it is occasionally visitors, staff and student employees.”

The Lamp: What is giving if you are caught breaking the smoke-free rule?

Dave Mahan: “$25 fine for first offense and double for the second offense, and students can (have their diplomas) withheld … (for) not paying the fines and can’t transfer or get your certificate. Also, we can give citations to staff. That includes E-cigs. They are not allowed, and that applies everywhere.”

Mahan noted that he used to work where there were a lot of smokers, so he would come home and smell of cigarettes not knowing of the odor since he’d been around the smell so much.

He said he sees no reason why people would need to get fined for smoking, since everyone has plenty of notice about the smoke-free campus.

The good outcome from a smoke free-campus is the cleanliness.

“The campus is much cleaner, without the trays. Also, the volunteers have been successful.”

The Lamp: What is the purpose of having a smoke free campus?

Dave Mahan: “To improve the atmosphere, to be clean. People also don’t know it’s a state law, and this is for all LLCC campuses.

“It can also help people quit smoking, and a lot of people don’t want to go over to the smoking area, and to quit smoking it can benefit others.”

Madison Mings can be reached at [email protected].