Ordinance Amendment Prohibiting Sale of Flavored Liquid Nicotine Products in Cook County Passed by Board of Commissioners
Ordinance Amendment Prohibiting Sale of Flavored Liquid Nicotine Products in Cook County Passed by Board of Commissioners (Cook County, IL) — Today, the Cook County Board of Commissioners passed an ordinance amendment introduced by Commissioner Donna Miller banning the sale of flavored liquid nicotine products in unincorporated Cook County. The legislation, supported by Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart and the Cook County Department of Public Health prohibits the sale of the types of products that studies find are hooking a new generation on nicotine, putting children at risk and threatening decades of progress in reducing youth tobacco use. Flavored products, especially e-cigarettes, are driving youth use and also increasing instances of severe respiratory illnesses and hospitalizations amongst youth and adults.
“This measure is a crucial step towards protecting people in Cook County from the detrimental effects of nicotine and tobacco use, especially our youth and young adults. Tobacco companies have known for years that flavored products increase their appeal, especially to young people, which has hooked a whole new generation on nicotine,” said Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller. “I’m grateful to the Board for ratifying this ordinance amendment and to Cook County Sheriff Dart, Dr. Hasbrouck and the Cook County Department of Public Health, and other advocates for their support. This legislation will have a real impact on improving outcomes for cardiovascular and respiratory health in Cook County and protecting our young people for generations to come.”
The Cook County Department of Public Health will be responsible for enforcing the ordinance with cooperation from the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, which takes effect in 60 days. Businesses found to be in noncompliance with the ordinance are subject to fines ranging from $500 to $5,000, as well as the possible suspension or revocation of their tobacco license. This ordinance follows in the footsteps of similar measures in several states and counties across the country, including the City of Chicago.
“I am grateful that the Cook County Board of Commissioners has taken this step to address this urgent public health issue,” Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart said. “The Sheriff’s Office is ready to support the enforcement of this ordinance and protect our kids.”
According to the CDC, tobacco and nicotine use are associated with higher instances of respiratory illness in youth and adults, have detrimental impacts on mental health, and can impact brain development in children and teens. Commissioner Miller introduced the ordinance as part of her work on combating disparate health outcomes in South Suburban Cook County and beyond, especially when it comes to cardiovascular health.
“For many, e-cigarettes are a gateway to traditional cigarettes, rather than an off-ramp,” said Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck, Chief Operating Officer of the Cook County Department of Public Health. “Even in small doses, flavored liquid nicotine products expose users to high levels of toxins. This amendment will help prevent tobacco-related diseases and save lives.”
According to the 2022 National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS), over 2.5 million U.S. kids used e-cigarettes in 2022 and almost 85% of youth users report using flavored e-cigarettes. From 2017 to 2019, e-cigarette use among high school students more than doubled to 27.5%, which led the U.S. Surgeon General and other public health authorities to declare the problem an “epidemic.” 81% of youth who had never used a tobacco product started with a flavored product.
Read the ordinance here.
Ordinance Amendment Prohibiting Sale of Flavored Liquid Nicotine Products in Cook County Passed by Board of Commissioners
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