Advocates decry Illinois health department’s new ‘Quit Vaping’ campaign as fear-mongering

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WTVO) — The State of Illinois is turning to social media to encourage people to quit vaping.

One of the Illinois Department of Public Health’s posts says, “After a long day of vaping, don’t you just want to climb into bed,” showing a hospital bed.

Vaping has been linked to nearly two-dozen deaths nationwide, including one in Illinois.

Vaping advocates say the campaign is just fear mongering.

“It’s irresponsible (what the IPDH is doing), in my opinion,” said vaping advocate Jordan Crawford. “Again, we are just seeing a convoluting [sic] of what the actual issue is, and I think it does a great disservice to the public, not to inform them of what the true issue actually is.”

Advocates like Crawford point to the latest investigation into unregulated THC-infused vape cartridges, sold under the brand name “Dank,” which is typically bought from black market retailers.

Last month, the City of Beloit took its own action against vaping, banning minors from using or possessing e-cigarettes. The law was passed after five Beloit Memorial High School students pitched the idea to city leaders earlier this year.

They say their hope is to educate people on the risks connected with vaping.

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