Illinois lawmakers have decisively passed a law that forbids vaping companies from targeting teens with their advertising, particularly by promoting electronic cigarettes that resemble 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, according to media.
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 will 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.
Illinois Senate Bill 3098, signed into law Aug. 9, prohibits e-cigarettes purchased by mail, online or through other remote sale methods from being shipped to anyone in the state other than a distributor or retailer. Senate Bill 3098 goes into effect Jan. 1, 2025.