U.S. Senator Dick Durbin/Photo courtesy of Senator Durbin’s office

By Neil Doyle

Illinois’ senior U.S. Senator is calling for stricter restrictions and more education about vaping.

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) is comparing vaping to Big Tobacco.

“If you remember Big Tobacco went after the kids, and now these vaping campaigns by Juul and these other companies, and I’m seeing there are way too many kids involved in this,” said Durbin.

Durbin said more restrictions need to be placed on the vaping industry. He added that a lack of education is adding to the rise of youth vapers.

“This stuff these kids are inhaling in their lungs, they think it’s just clouds of vapor. That’s bologna–it’s a chemical going into your lungs and its causing damage to a lot of young people,” Durbin said.

Last week, the Illinois Department of Public Health reported over 50 cases of respiratory illnesses related to vaping.

Durbin said he supports the Trump administration’s proposal to ban most flavored vapes and e-cigarettes.

Neil Doyle can be reached at [email protected]