Vaping and e-cigarette use among youth is growing fast, creating serious concerns for public health experts in Illinois and across the U.S. These battery-powered devices may seem harmless, but they deliver highly addictive nicotine and other chemicals, putting young users at risk for long-term health problems.
As of July 1,2025, Illinois law prohibits the sale of all tobacco products, including vapes and e-cigarettes, to anyone under the age of 21.
What Are E-Cigarettes and Vapes?
E-cigarettes, also called vapes, e-hookahs, mods, or vape pens, are devices that heat a liquid (commonly called e-juice) into an aerosol, which the user inhales. This liquid often contains:
- Nicotine (an addictive substance also found in cigarettes)
- Flavorings
- Other chemicals
Even bystanders may inhale the aerosol when users exhale, making it risky for others nearby.
These products come in many shapes. Some look like pens, others resemble USB flash drives—making them hard for teachers and parents to spot. JUUL is one such product, and just one JUUL pod contains as much nicotine as a full pack of cigarettes.
EVALI: A Vaping-Related Lung Illness
Health officials have tracked a serious lung illness linked to vaping, called EVALI (E-cigarette or Vaping Product Use Associated Lung Injury).
As of January 16, 2025, Illinois had:
- 218 confirmed EVALI cases
- 5 deaths
These cases were spread across several counties including Cook, Kane, Lake, DuPage, McLean, Peoria, and more. Patients ranged in age from 13 to 85, with a median age of 22. Many of them experienced severe breathing problems, and some needed hospitalization.
Investigations into new health hazard evaluations at NIOSH were paused in 2019 under travel and communication limits.
Vaping Among Illinois Youth: Alarming Trends
According to state and national data:
- In 2017, 42% of Illinois high school students said they had tried an electronic vapor product
- 13% said they had used one in the last 30 days
- In 2018, cigarette smoking among high school seniors dropped to 5%, but vaping rose to 26.7%
- This marks a 45% increase in e-cigarette use from 2016 to 2018
- Use among 8th and 10th graders also saw major spikes, with a 65% rise among 10th graders
Despite the health risks, nearly 40% of youth surveyed believed that vaping carries little or no health risk.
The Health Risks of E-Cigarettes for Teens
E-cigarettes are highly addictive, and early nicotine use can:
- Affect brain development
- Increase the risk of addiction to other substances
- Worsen asthma and other respiratory conditions
Teens who vape may not consider themselves smokers, which can make it harder to recognize the signs of addiction or dependence.
FAQs
Q1. What is the legal age to buy e-cigarettes in Illinois?
As of July 1, 2019, it is illegal to sell any tobacco or vaping products to people under 21 in Illinois.
Q2. What is EVALI?
EVALI stands for E-cigarette or Vaping Product Use Associated Lung Injury, a serious and sometimes fatal lung illness linked to vaping.
Q3. Are vapes safer than cigarettes?
Not necessarily. Vapes often contain high amounts of nicotine and other chemicals that can harm lung and brain development, especially in teens.
Q4. How many teens vape in Illinois?
As of 2018, more than 1 in 4 high school seniors in Illinois reported using e-cigarettes—a 45% increase over two years.
Q5. What are JUULs and why are they concerning?
JUULs are sleek, USB-shaped e-cigarettes popular among teens. A single JUUL pod contains as much nicotine as a pack of cigarettes, making them highly addictive and easy to hide.