Chicago Targets Youth Vaping With New Campaign

CHICAGO — City officials launched a new campaign to educate youth about electronic cigarettes and vaping.

The public education and social media campaign, "Vaping," debuted citywide this week with a series of digital and outdoor advertisements. 

"We must encourage our young people to make smart choices, so they will live long, healthy lives, and this campaign is part of our comprehensive effort to reduce youth smoking," said Mayor Rahm Emanuel. "From regulating e-cigarettes to banning the sale of flavored tobacco near our schools, we are committed to enacting every possible strategy to prevent youth from ever picking up smoking."

The mayor unveiled the campaign in conjunction with the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH).

"E-cigarettes and other electronic nicotine devices are designed to act like cigarettes, with flavors that appeal to children," said CDPH Commissioner Julie Morita. "Chicagoans must know the real health risks associated with using these products. This new campaign will help keep our young people from ever trying these dangerous, addictive products." 

The "Vaping" educational campaign highlights areas of concern regarding:

• The addictive nature of nicotine;
• The chemicals found in e-liquids;
• The lack of regulations at the federal level; and 
• What is in the products and how they're made.

In addition, the campaign includes a toolkit for community and tobacco prevention organizations to help increase awareness about the known dangers of vaping while continuing to promote and support the use of proven cessation therapies.