SPRINGFIELD – A steadfast champion of Illinois laws to keep harmful tobacco products away from young people, State Senator Julie Morrison expanded upon her work in passing a measure to ban the use of e-cigarettes inside public places.

“Vaping and e-cigarette-related illnesses and deaths have become a nationwide outbreak that must come to an end before more lives are lost,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “Banning the use of e-cigarettes indoors is another necessary step toward protecting people from serious, life-long health consequences of tobacco.” 

Passed in 2007, the Smoke Free Illinois Act prohibited smoking in public and within 15 feet of entrances, and required “no smoking” signs to be posted on the prohibited public place. However, this law took effect when people primarily smoked cigarettes and cigars.

In recent years, the use of e-cigarettes – like vapes – has increased tremendously, leading Morrison to pass House Bill 1540 to ban the use of e-cigarettes indoors.

“It’s commonsense that if cigarettes aren’t permitted to be smoked inside, e-cigarettes shouldn’t be either,” said Morrison. “Smoking is not a right – it’s an addiction and societal burden.” 

Morrison has been an advocate for putting an end to tobacco use by teens since entering the General Assembly. In 2019, she successfully passed a law that increases the age to legally purchase tobacco to 21 and last year passed a measure to place a number of restrictions on marketing e-cigarettes to children.

House Bill 1540 passed the Senate Executive Committee Wednesday.