Op-Ed: Illinois Has a Vaping Crisis, And We’re Failing to Enforce the Law (Chicago, IL) — Illinois does not have a vaping awareness problem, it has an enforcement problem.
Across our state, illegal vape sales to minors continue despite clear laws prohibiting them. And while policymakers debate next steps, educators are already dealing with the consequences every single day.
Classrooms Are Paying the Price
At a recent Illinois Educators Alliance roundtable, educators from across the state described youth vaping as a “huge problem” disrupting learning environments and student outcomes.
Students are missing valuable instructional time due to suspensions, expulsions, and disciplinary actions tied to vaping. Teachers are being pulled away from teaching to monitor behavior. Schools are dealing with safety concerns in bathrooms and common areas.
And this is no longer confined to high schools.
Educators made it clear that vaping is now impacting younger students in middle and even elementary settings, raising serious concerns about early exposure and long-term consequences.
This is not a minor distraction and it is actively interfering with education.
The Numbers Back It Up
The data reinforces what educators are seeing on the ground:
- 1 in 6 Illinois high school students uses e-cigarettes
- Vaping remains the most commonly used tobacco product among youth nationwide
- Millions of middle and high school students across the U.S. continue to use tobacco products each year
This level of access does not happen by accident.
It happens because illegal sales are continuing, and enforcement is not keeping up.
The Law Already Exists
Illinois already prohibits the sale of vaping products to minors.
House Resolution 792 recognizes the growing concern and signals that lawmakers are paying attention. But recognition alone does not solve the problem.
The reality is simple: If the law were being consistently enforced, minors would not have such easy access.
Yet they do.
That points to a clear breakdown, not in policy, but in execution.
Easy Access, Real Consequences
Educators also highlighted how easy it is for students to obtain these products, often through unlicensed sellers, informal networks, or retailers who simply ignore the law.
As a father of high school students, I hear about teens huddling in bathroom stalls during class to share a vape, vaping on the bus, and mostly, how many of our young students are using them.
At the same time, many communities lack clear information on how to report illegal sales or hold violators accountable.
That combination, easy access and low accountability, is exactly what allows this problem to grow.
And the consequences extend beyond the classroom:
- Increased disciplinary actions
- Disrupted learning environments
- Greater strain on educators and administrators
- Potential long-term impacts on student health and behavior
Enforcement Must Be the First Step
The educators who participated in the roundtable were clear: before creating new policies, Illinois must enforce the laws already in place.
That means:
- Stronger oversight of retailers
- Real consequences for illegal sales
- Better coordination between enforcement agencies
- Clear, accessible ways for communities to report violations
A Broader Impact We Can’t Ignore
While this is fundamentally a public health and education issue, it also has broader implications. When students are pulled out of classrooms and lose instructional time, it affects long-term readiness—something that ultimately matters for communities, employers, and the state’s future workforce.
But we don’t need to overcomplicate this.
At its core, this is about protecting children and supporting schools.
Op-Ed: Illinois Has a Vaping Crisis, And We’re Failing to Enforce the Law
