SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Following a spike in reports linking vaping to breathing problems and deaths, state Rep. Karina Villa, D-West Chicago, is sponsoring legislation to ban flavored tobacco products, such as flavored juice for vapes and e-cigarettes, from being sold, bought and distributed in Illinois.

“Vaping is often marketed as being safer than cigarettes, but we are finding that may not be the case,” said Villa. “It is clear that these products are marketed to appeal directly to teens and children, while their brains are still developing and they are more vulnerable to the addictive properties of nicotine. Fruity and candy flavors draw teens in, causing them to form a dangerous, unhealthy habit at an early age.”

So far, at least six people have died from vaping-related lung complications, the first being reported in Illinois. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has also recently reported that as many as 450 cases of serious lung disease have been linked to e-cigarette use, or vaping. In response, Villa is supporting House Bill 3883, an initiative to ban flavored tobacco products in Illinois. Villa also sponsored House Bill 345, also known as Tobacco 21, which raised the minimum age to buy tobacco products, electronic cigarettes and other alternative nicotine products from 18 to 21 years old. Tobacco 21 is now law.

“Smoking is a public health issue, and too many young individuals are dying and becoming sick from vaping and the use of other unsafe tobacco products,” continued Villa. “Keeping tobacco products out of the hands of children is critical, and banning flavored tobacco products specifically geared toward them is a step in the right direction.”

For more information, please contact Villa’s constituent service office at 630-326-9319 or at StateRepKarinaVilla@gmail.com.

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. – Concerned that children are increasingly being attracted to new forms of flavored tobacco, state Rep. Michelle Mussman, D-Schaumburg, has recently backed a bill that would ban the sale of flavored tobacco products in Illinois.

“We are seeing new tobacco products in the market that have flavors similar to candy,” Mussman said. “With colorful packages and fruity flavors, this design seems to be attracting children and younger audiences. We are making an effort to stop this trend before it gets out of hand.”

The Mussman-backed House Bill 3883 would update state law to prohibit the sale of flavored tobacco products, such as the liquid for vaping devices. Distributors found in violation of the proposal would be subject to having their license suspended by the Department of Revenue. The introduced bill comes in the wake of growing concern over the health risks of vaping devices which may be more attractive to children and teenagers due to their flavors.

“Important strides, such as raising the tobacco age to 21, have been made in recent years to cut the use of harmful tobacco products,” Mussman said. “New products will continue to come to the market, and it’s important that we continue to review how these products can impact our youth.”

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.”