New Illinois law bans use of e-cigs, vapes in public places starting January 1

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Vapes and electronic cigarettes will be banned in public places across the state starting January 1.

Illinois lawmakers added e-cigs to the list of tobacco products banned indoors this spring. Sponsors said the surge of e-cigarettes has threatened the state's progress and lured more people toward a deadly addiction.

"We know that thousands of Illinois residents support prohibiting e-cigarettes in indoor places since nearly 30 municipalities have already added them to their clean indoor ordinance," said Rep. Camille Lilly (D-Oak Park).

Illinois will be the 17th state to join Washington D.C. in adding e-cigs to a smoke-free law. The American Lung Association said this law will help protect more people from second-hand exposure to vapes in virtually all indoor public places.

"The use of e-cigarettes has skyrocketed in recent years with tobacco companies targeting teens and young people with enticing flavors," said Kristina Hamilton, Illinois advocacy director for the American Lung Association. "This expansion of the landmark Smoke-Free Illinois Act will reduce the negative effects of e-cigarettes on our communities."

Sen. Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) has frequently advocated for prohibiting tobacco use for teenagers since joining the General Assembly in 2013. Morrison helped pass legislation in 2019 to increase the age to legally purchase tobacco to 21. She also led the effort to crack down on marketing e-cigarettes to children in 2022.

"E-cigarettes, in all of their many forms, continue to be one of the most addictive products readily available for purchase in gas stations, vape shops and online," Morrison said. "We have made solid progress toward de-normalizing the perception of tobacco, and I am proud that on January 1, e-cigarette usage will be banned indoors."

The law exempts tobacco stores that sell e-cigs and other vaping equipment.