SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signed legislation on Thusrday that prevents anyone under the age of 18 from using electronic cigarettes.
Quinn also signed a bill that prevents anyone under the age of 18 from using a tanning bed.
Legislators, health professionals, survivors of melanoma and their families and teens who have recognized the dangers of skin cancer and nicotine addiction joined the governor to make the announcement.
The governor signed Senate Bill 1756, sponsored by State Representative Kathleen Willis (D) and State Senator John Mulroe (D), which bans anyone under the age of 18 from using e-cigarettes and other alternative nicotine products.
While e-cigarettes do not contain tobacco, these products do contain nicotine.
"Nicotine has been proven to be a harmful and addictive substance," Mulroe said. "We ban children from purchasing it in all of its other forms. This law just helps us keep up with the advancements in the ways it is being sold."
The law takes effect Jan. 1, 2014.
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