Illinois House approves bill banning marketing of vapes resembling school supplies

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — The Illinois House passed a proposal Tuesday to address electronic cigarettes designed to look like school supplies.

State lawmakers want to ban vaping companies from advertising, marketing or promoting e-cigs that could confuse parents, teachers or other people into thinking the devices are common items.

Democrats and Republicans have often heard complaints from teachers about students bringing vapes into school that look like highlighters, erasers and toys.

"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," said Sen. Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest). "But it does build an addiction, and that's what we're trying to get in front of."

This legislation would be enforced by the Illinois Department of Revenue, Attorney General and local law enforcement.

Senate Bill 2662 passed unanimously out of the House and now moves back to the Senate on concurrence due to a technical amendment.