April 22, 2021
In this Research & Commentary, Christina Herrin evaluates an Illinois Senate Bill that would ban flavored e-cigarettes.
Illinois Senate Democrats recently introduced Senate Bill 2282, which would ban flavored e-cigarettes. By introducing this bill, Illinois legislators have disregarded the fact that flavored e-cigarettes are a significant tool for tobacco harm reduction. In addition, a federal ban on flavored e-cigarettes already exists. Why are legislators spending precious time on redundant policy, when the Prairie State has much more pressing issues?
Furthermore, there are ample health and economic reasons to keep flavored e-cigarettes on the market instead of implementing all out bans.
Without flavored e-cigarettes, adult smokers are more likely to revert back to combustible cigarettes. A 2017 study by the National Bureau of Economic Research concluded banning flavors “would result in the increased choice of combustible cigarettes.” Indeed, the authors expect e-cigarette use to