Residents reminded E-Cigarette use in indoor public places outlawed in 2024

By Editor | January 3, 2024 |

By DAVID CAMPHOUSE

E-cigarette use is no longer permitted in indoor public spaces in Illinois as of the beginning of the new year under a new state law.

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) supports the intent of the new law, one of several taking effect in the New Year that will improve public health across the state.

HB1540, sponsored in the House by Rep. Camille Lilly and in the Senate by Sen. Julie Morrison, adds electronic smoking devices to the list of items prohibited for public indoor use under the Smoke Free Illinois Act, the indoor smoking ban that was enacted in 2008. With new law now in effect, such devices can no longer be used in indoor public spaces or within 15 feet of a public entrance.

“E-cigarettes contain nicotine and other chemicals which can be harmful to both those who use them and those who are exposed to them,” said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. “Just like smoking, vaping can lead to lung damage and nicotine addiction. We applaud the General Assembly and Gov. Pritzker for their leadership to ensure that public spaces in Illinois are safe, clean environments for everyone.”

Scott County Health Department (SCHD) BSN, RN Meghan VanDeVelde said that SCHD would be working to get the word out about the new law.

“I’m hoping it’s pretty self-explanatory,” VanDeVelde said. “With the new law, all forms of smoking will be considered equal and subject to the same rules about not smoking indoors or within 15 feet of doors of indoor public spaces.”

VanDeVelde indicated that SCHD would be distributing signage about the new e-smoking ban to businesses as soon as the agency received the signage from the state.

“We should be able to give out new signs by mid-January,” VanDeVelde said. “Once we get them, we’ll get them to the businesses, so they’re in compliance with the new law.”

Bars, restaurants, and other retail establishments can get more information on the requirements of the updated law, and can download signage for their establishments, at http://www.smoke-free.illinois.gov/. Consumers can use that same website to register complaints if they witness non-compliance with the indoor smoking/vaping ban.

VanDeVelde stated that certain businesses and public spaces may be more affected by the new vaping laws than others.

“I think it’s mostly only been an issue in bar settings, and I’ve seen people in the gas stations in town,” VanDeVelde said. “Those have been the most common areas where it has been an issue.”

“The biggest part is just that local businesses do their part to keep the businesses clean and healthy.”

Another public place where e-smoking has been an issue, according to VanDeVelde, has been in Scott County schools.

“It’s also been an issue in schools with kids hiding the devices and using them in bathrooms and other spaces,” VanDeVelde said. “We’ve been working to increase awareness on the part of parents and educators to try and cut down on it.”

“We’ve also tried to educate the young people, too, with signage and information on the health risks associated with vaping.”

The update to the Smoke Free Illinois Act is just one of several new laws that take effect in the New Year that are intended to improve the public’s health in 2024. Other new laws effective on New Year’s Day include:

HB2238,* sponsored by Rep. Barbara Hernandez and Sen. Laura Ellman, which creates a new level of certification for hospitals providing treatment to stroke victims. The new category, identified as Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Center, Thrombectomy Ready Stroke Center, or Primary Stroke Center Plus, is a voluntary designation that can be sought by medical facilities which offer a higher level of treatment and intervention for stroke patients;

HB3203, sponsored by Rep. Tony McCombie and Sen. Sally Turner, seeks to reduce the number of fentanyl-related overdoses by expanding access to fentanyl test strips that will allow controlled substances to be tested for the presence of the dangerous opioid. The new law will allow pharmacists and retailers to sell the strips, and allows county health departments to provide the test strips free of charge;

HB1117,* sponsored by Rep. Natalie Manley and Sen. Meg Loughran Cappel, which will increase the number and capacity of hospice residence facilities providing end-of-life care to patients;

SB0759, sponsored by Sen. Julie Morrison and Rep. Theresa Mah, allowing podiatrists with the appropriate training to administer certain vaccinations to patients age 18 and older, including influenza, tetanus, and COVID-19 shots.

*These new laws will require the development of additional rules for full implementation. More guidance will be coming from IDPH in the near future.