Chicago becomes second city in the U.S. to add e-cigarettes to its smoke-free ordinance

Chicago adds electronic nicotine delivery systems (e-cigarettes) to its clean indoor air act.  Acting only one day behind New York City, Chicago is the second city to protect its residents and workers from exposure to secondhand aerosol from the devices.  Limiting public use of e-cigarettes also helps prevent smoking behaviors from becoming a social norm.  ICAT members, including Respiratory Health Association, testified in support of the ordinance and launched media efforts to educate on the potential dangers and unknown efficacy of the devices.  Respiratory Health Association has continued to advocate for inclusion of e-cigarettes in local smoke-free ordinances and at the state level.  Since Chicago’s ordinance more than 20 communities in Illinois have added e-cigarettes to their smoke-free laws.  E-cigarettes have not yet been added to the Smoke-free Illinois Act.