Work sites ban all tobacco use

Collinsville – Some Metro East construction workers will have to think twice before taking a smoke or chewing tobacco under new rules at two prominent work sites.

Beginning July 1, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville will implement a smoke-free campus policy, Dale Stewart, executive secretary treasurer of the Southwestern Illinois Building & Construction Trades Council told that group on Thursday.

“You can’t smoke anywhere around campus,” he said. The campus is planning some construction work yet this year, so local workers will be tested.

In addition, the new St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, which recently was approved for construction in O’Fallon, will also have a tobacco-free rule.

“A lot of our guys like to smoke and chew, but I’m just telling you, when we get on these jobs like this hospital, there’s no smoking on the job – no nothing, no tobacco period,” Stewart said.

The rules also apply to the newly popular vaporizer smoking using pipes.

Said one member: “No ifs, ands or butts about it!”