Strengthen anti-vape efforts

Public safety is a top concern for parents and educators in Illinois, but it stems far beyond just crime. There is another youth epidemic that has been hurting teenagers across the state: the usage of illegal disposable vaping products.

A 2023 National Youth Tobacco Study found that unapproved brands like Elf Bar and Esco Bar are the preferred vaping choices among teenagers. These products are marketed to appeal to youth by using vibrant colors, displaying popular cartoon characters and even resembling school supply items, such as highlighters.

Due to minimal enforcement efforts across the state, illegal disposable vaping products that should be prohibited by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are still finding their way into the United States, onto shelves and in our youth’s hands.

In some states, there have been instances of these devices being tampered with, including being laced with fentanyl or other illegal substances, resulting in serious injuries.

While we can be happy that youth smoking rates are down, illegal disposable vape usage among teenagers has increased by over 2,600% since 2019. This number should not just alarm parents and educators, but elected officials and community leaders as well. We need to band together to keep kids safe.

As the FDA sits on the sidelines instead of enforcing its own bans, we must give Illinois law enforcement the tools they need to keep youth safe. One of those tools is implementing a vapor directory that will help law enforcement identify the bad actors who continue to keep these products on their shelves and hold them accountable.

Illinois is a proven leader in smoking cessation efforts, but we need to make sure that these initiatives reach beyond cigarettes and are fully implemented for illegal disposable vaping products to provide the most safety for our youth and all Illinoisans across the state.

Christine Sedorook, SEL Coach — 6th grade

Fischer Middle School

Aurora