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Citywide Ban on Flavored Tobacco Products Effective April 1, 2024

EVANSTON, IL - The City of Evanston announces a citywide ban on the sale of all flavored tobacco products, effective April 1, 2024. This ban is a critical step in safeguarding the public from the predatory marketing practices employed by the tobacco industry, particularly those disproportionately targeting Black consumers and young people, leading to disparate health outcomes.

The ban encompasses a wide range of products, including flavored cigarettes, cigars, vaping items, loose tobacco, and rolling papers. Tobacco retailers must adhere to this new law, with routine inspections conducted by the City's Health and Human Services staff to ensure compliance. Violations of the ordinance may result in fines and, for repeated offenses, the revocation of the tobacco retail license.

Please note: this regulation applies solely to tobacco retailers and does not criminalize individual possession or use of flavored tobacco products.

Tobacco use remains as the leading cause of preventable disease and death in the U.S. Evanston proudly takes the lead in Illinois as the first municipality to enact a comprehensive ban on the sale of flavored tobacco products, including menthol. Evanston has long been a leader in tobacco control across Illinois, passing the state’s inaugural ban on public indoor smoking and the first ordinance raising the legal purchase age for tobacco products from 18 to 21, both of which were later adopted by the state. 

For more information about this ordinance, please call 311 or visit cityofevanston.org/tobacco. Download a poster to print.

Media Contact: Jessie Mayo
jmayo@cityofevanston.org
Phone: 847-448-8041