Northern Illinois University will be going smoke free. No smoking will be allowed on university property, effective July 1. Here's why.

To be in compliance with the Illinois Smoke-Free Campus Act, Northern Illinois University will become smoke-free Wednesday, July 1, joining more than 700 colleges and universities nationwide with smoke- and/or tobacco- free policies.

With the enactment of the new law, smoking will be prohibited on all campus property, defined as property that is owned, leased, occupied or otherwise controlled by NIU, both indoors and outdoors and in university-owned vehicles.

That means smoking will be allowed in privately owned vehicles when traveling through campus.  Smoking will be allowed in privately owned vehicles parked in unenclosed lots on campus.

Faculty, staff and students have been very involved in planning for the July 1 implementation of the Smoke-Free Campus Act since the word came that NIU would comply.

There will be plenty of gum chewing going on during finals week.