Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has signed a law that extends smoking restrictions to include electronic cigarettes and vaping. The Smoke-Free Illinois Act, which already prohibits smoking in most indoor public spaces, will now encompass these products as well. The move has been welcomed as a step towards reducing air pollution and promoting a healthier Illinois. Exceptions to the ban include the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont during meetings of tobacco manufacturers and suppliers.
E-cigarettes have gained popularity among young people due to various factors, including the availability of different flavors and the lack of social stigma associated with their use. However, this has led to an increase in e-cigarette use among high school students in Illinois, with numbers rising from 18.4% to 26.7% between 2016 and 2018. The Illinois Department of Public Health warns that e-cigarettes pose significant health risks and should not be viewed as a safe alternative to smoking. Secondhand smoke from e-cigarettes has been linked to respiratory issues and diseases such as asthma, heart disease, and lung disease.
The city of Chicago recently settled a $23.8 million lawsuit with Juul Labs over claims that the company targeted underage users with its vaping products. The city had already banned the sale of flavored liquid nicotine products in 2020, and Cook County followed suit earlier this year. The sleek design and lack of a flame make e-cigarettes appear less offensive to smoke in public, but the secondhand smoke still poses a threat to bystanders' respiratory systems.
Under the new law, anyone caught using an e-cigarette in violation of the Smoke-Free Illinois Act can be fined $100 for the first offense and $250 for subsequent offenses. The owners of the premises where the violation occurs could face penalties of $500 for the initial violation and $2,500 for subsequent violations within a year.
Democratic Representative Camille Lilly, a sponsor of the bill, emphasized the need to reduce smoking, create cleaner indoor public spaces, and promote healthier outcomes for everyone. The expansion of the Smoke-Free Illinois law has been praised by health officials, who believe it will further protect the health of the state's residents.
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