SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Illinois is one step closer to cracking down on the latest style of electronic cigarettes designed to look like highlighters, erasers and other school supplies.
State lawmakers want to ban vaping companies from advertising, marketing or promoting e-cigs that could confuse parents or teachers into thinking the devices are common items.
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Democrats and Republicans have frequently heard complaints from teachers about students bringing vapes into school that look like pencil sharpeners, erasers and toys.
"Principals, superintendents, teachers - they're really struggling with this," said Rep. Ryan Spain (R-Peoria). "They're struggling with vaping devices that are hard to track. I mean, they're designed intentionally to look like school supplies in some cases."
The legislation would be enforced by the Illinois Department of Revenue, Attorney General and local law enforcement.Â
Illinois Senate Democrats provided examples of electronic cigarettes that look like highlighters.
Senate Bill 2662 passed unanimously out of the House Executive Committee Wednesday. The proposal now moves to the House floor for further consideration.Â
Rep. Camille Lilly (D-Chicago) is the lead sponsor in the House and Sen. Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) pushed for this change in the Senate.
"I've talked to young people that use them and said they first tried at a party because a friend had one and they thought it would be fun and everybody else was doing it," Morrison said. "But it does build an addiction, and that's what we're trying to get in front of."
The legislation passed out of the Senate on a 54-1 vote on April 4.
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