Illinois lawmakers ban vape items targeting high school students

(The Center Square) – Illinois lawmakers have passed a law banning vaping companies from targeting teens in advertising by marketing or promoting electronic cigarettes resembling school supplies such as highlighters, markers or erasers.

The changes come at a time when lawmakers from both sides of the aisle in Springfield have been bombarded with complaints about students bringing vapes into schools that could easily be mistaken for such common items.

American Lung Association Vice President of Nationwide Advocacy Mike Seilback is praising lawmakers for not wasting any more time in taking a stance against what he sees as deceitful practices.

“We see an industry that continues to prey on young people,” Seilback told The Center Square. “There is no reason why products need to look like highlighters, pens and pencils whose only purpose is to hide the true intent of what's hidden inside those devices. We know that these are specifically being used to prevent teachers and administrators from seeing the products being used and also to try to prevent parents from being able to determine what those products are.”

Seilback argues that none of the deception should come as a surprise.

“The industry is always needing to replace those that quit using their products,” he adds. “They're always looking for the next generation. They're going to keep saying what they say and we need to make sure that our elected officials stand with the public health community.”

The new law is set to be enforced by the Illinois Department of Revenue, the Attorney General’s office and local law enforcement. At the same time, Senate Bill 3098, which will ban electronic cigarette companies from allowing anyone under 21 to order vaping products online or by mail, is also slated to soon take effect.

Seilback insists he sees both measures in much the same way.

“We're glad that the legislature this year passed two laws dealing with e-cigarettes and is investing in resources to help tobacco users quit,” he adds. “We're not going to be done until tobacco is no longer a public health threat. So we're never going to be finished until we get to that point.”

Seilback said the American Lung Association closely worked with Democratic State Sen. Julie Morrison in crafting language for the new school vaping ban and are hoping to see even more action taken.

“This is just a step forward,” he said. “It alone is not going to solve the fact that about 16% of Illinois high school students are using e-cigarette products. This law on its own is not going to make the product, the problem go away, but we need to continue doing everything we can to prevent another generation from being addicted to these products.”

Both new laws will take effect on January 1