Illinois has enacted two new laws that significantly impact the vaping industry and e-cigarette users in the state. House Bill 1540 and Senate Bill 3098, both set to take effect on January 1, 2025, introduce restrictions on the use and shipping of e-cigarettes.
E-Cigarettes Banned in Indoor Public Spaces
House Bill 1540, signed by Governor J.B. Pritzker on July 28, 2023, bans the use of e-cigarettes in indoor public spaces. The bill adds electronic smoking devices to the 2008 Smoke-Free Illinois Act, which previously banned smoking in most public spaces throughout the state.
State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest), a proponent of the bill, emphasized the addictive nature of e-cigarettes, stating, “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.”
Restrictions on E-Cigarette Shipping
In addition to the public space ban, Illinois Senate Bill 3098, signed into law on August 9, 2024, prohibits e-cigarettes purchased by mail, online, or through other remote sale methods from being shipped to anyone in the state other than a distributor or retailer. This legislation, led by Illinois State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood), aims to curb the accessibility of e-cigarettes to consumers.
The implementation of these new laws marks a significant shift in the regulation of vaping products in Illinois. As the state takes steps to address public health concerns associated with e-cigarette use, businesses in the vaping industry will need to adapt to the changing legal landscape and ensure compliance with the new restrictions.
