Yingling Takes a Stand To Protect Illinois Teens, Supports Proposal to Ban Flavored Tobacco Products

SPRINGFIELD, Ill – In response to recent reports of vaping-related hospitalizations around
Illinois, state Rep. Sam Yingling, D-Grayslake, is cracking down on flavored tobacco products
by supporting legislation that would prohibit the sale or distribution of these products.

“Many of these products use candy flavors and deceptive advertising to hook our teens on
nicotine,” Yingling said. “Protecting our youth must be a top priority, and my hope is that this
legislation will ignite a serious conversation about the dangers of today’s flavored tobacco
products.”

Yingling is backing House Bill 3883, which prohibits the sale or distribution of any flavored
tobacco product. Of the over 200 cases of vaping-related hospitalizations across the nation,
almost 20 percent of those cases occurred in Illinois, including cases in Cook, Dupage, Kane,
Lake, McHenry, Will, Champaign, Madison, Peoria, and St. Clair counties. Last week, an Illinois
resident passed away due to an upper respiratory illness linked to vaping. Yingling’s legislation
follows the declaration of Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to make her state the first to ban
flavored electronic cigarettes.

“The deadly impact that e-cigarettes are having on the residents of our state is a clear indication
that these products should be banned,” Yingling said. “I look forward to working with my
colleagues to ensure our children do not have access to these products and that they are informed
about the consequences of using them.”