CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - The Cook County Board has approved a ban on selling flavored tobacco products in suburban Cook. Officials are pleased with the measure, at least as far as it goes.
By a unanimous voice vote, the County Board approved the ban on the sale of flavored tobacco products, including vaping cartridges and including menthol flavored.
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle is happy.
“I applaud the Board’s effort to prohibit the sale of flavored nicotine products because I think they’re specifically designed to appeal to kids…despicable,” Preckwinkle says.
She admits the ban does not cover suburban municipalities.
“Our statutory authority only applies to unincorporated Cook. Those businesses that are located in unincorporated Cook will be impacted,” Preckwinkle notes. “When we make legislation of this sort, that’s where it applies. Local municipalities can enact their own legislation should they wish.”
Preckwinkle wishes that they would.
Under the ordinance, any of the reported 42 licensed tobacco retailers in unincorporated Cook could face a $250 fine the first time they are caught selling flavored vapes.
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