Chicago Mayor Proposes More Vaping Restrictions

Photo by CSPNet.com

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel says that his proposed tobacco ordinance—which would enact a new tax on other tobacco products, set minimum cigarette and tobacco prices, mandate minimum package sizes, prohibit the redemption of tobacco product coupons, and raise the legal age to buy tobacco to 21—is all about Big Tobacco. CSPNet.com says that this isn’t the case.

So far Emanuel’s proposal includes “raising the cigarette tax to a nationwide high of $7.17 per pack when state, county and city cigarette taxes are all added together, imposing a tax on e-cigarettes, prohibiting the use of e-cigarettes where smoking is currently restricted, and banning the sale of most flavored tobacco products within 500 feet of schools,” CSPNet.com reports.

Aldermen have said publicly that this would aid Chicago’s “black market” for vaping and cigarette purchases. It also would force paying customers to travel out of the city for products, costing many shops and employees their business and jobs. While Emanuel says that this is about combating Big Tobacco and minors vaping and/or smoking, it may do more harm than good.

The next council meeting will be held this month.

For the full story, visit http://www.cspnet.com/category-news/tobacco/articles/chicago-tobacco-ordinance-about-small-business-not-big-tobacco#.Vs8SpVF539c.yahoomail.

Chicago Mayor Proposes More Vaping Restrictions