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Bronze Contributor
Member For 4 Years
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Member For 2 Years
Vape Media
Chicago, IL
As if it wasn’t bad enough that the Chicago City Council followed in the footsteps of New York City by prohibiting vaping in the same places where smoking is banned, now Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel is promoting a tax on vapor products and other tobacco products (OTP) not currently subject to city taxes or fees.
The Mayor has announced three town hall meetings that are open to the public. These are excellent opportunities for vapor and tobacco harm reduction advocates to voice opposition to extra taxes on vapor products and smokeless tobacco.
Please make plans to attend these meetings. Although these are not city council meetings, please observe city council chamber decorum.
For those that are unable to attend these meetings, we have provided contact information for city council members and talking points below. You can find your ward and Alder Member HERE. Please take a moment now to contact your city council member and tell them you are opposed to imposing any extra taxes or fees on vapor products and smokeless tobacco.
SUGGESTED TALKING POINTS
1). Ostensibly, taxes on traditional cigarettes are intended to discourage use. However, due to the fact that e-cigarettes and other smoke-free tobacco products are estimated to be 98 - 99% less harmful than smoking, discouraging use is counter to goals of reducing smoking rates.
2). Sin taxes are regressive. The smoking population, those switching to vaping, is disproportionately made up of poor and low income people. Sin taxes place unnecessary burdens on an already financially challenged group.
3). Imposing a tax on these products will drive consumers to shop in neighboring cities that do not have a similar tax. Concurrently, consumers will be encouraged to shop online for better deals, sending even more money out of the community. Local businesses will not be able to compete, be forced to close their doors, and jobs will be lost. This is bad for the City and will result in less revenue, not more.
4). It is important to note that vapor products are already subject to a general sales tax.
5). Taxing e-cigarettes in a manner similar to how cigarettes are taxed sends a confusing and inaccurate message to would-be adopters that these two very different products present similar risks. The result of this message is that more people, those that otherwise would have switched to a smoke-free product, will be encouraged to continue smoking.
Chicago
City Council
Ward
Alder
E-mail
Ward Office Phone
City Hall Phone
1
Proco Joe Moreno
[email protected]
(773) 278-0101
(312) 744-3063 / 1367
2
Brian Hopkins
[email protected]
(312) 643-2299
(312) 744-6836
3
Pat Dowell
[email protected]
(773) 373-9273
(312) 744-8734 / 6712
4
William D. Burns
[email protected]
(773) 536-8103
(312) 744-2690 / 7738
5
Leslie A. Hairston
[email protected]
(773) 324-5555
(312) 744-6832 / 3195
6
Roderick T. Sawyer
[email protected]
(773) 635-0006
(312) 744-6868 / 0670
7
Gregory I. Mitchell
[email protected]
(773) 731-7777
(312) 744-6833
8
Michelle A. Harris
[email protected]
(773) 874-3300
(312) 744-3075 / 6825
9
Anthony Beale
[email protected]
(773) 785-1100
(312) 744-6838 / 3061
10
Susan Sadlowski Garza
[email protected]
(773) 768-8138
(312) 744-3078
11
Patrick D. Thompson
[email protected]
(773) 254-6677
(312) 744-6663
12
George A. Cardenas
[email protected]
(773) 523-8250
(312) 744-3068 / 4025
13
Marty Quinn
[email protected]
(773) 581-8000
(312) 744-3058 / 3076
14
Edward M. Burke
[email protected]
(773) 471-1414
(312) 744-3380 / 3381
15
Raymond A. Lopez
[email protected]
(773) 306-0837
(312) 744-4321
16
Toni Foulkes
[email protected]
(773) 863-0220
(312) 744-6850 / 6854
17
David H. Moore
[email protected]
(773) 783-3672
(312) 744-3435
18
Derrick G. Curtis
[email protected]
(773) 284-5057
(312) 744-6856
19
Matthew J. O'Shea
[email protected]
(773) 238-8766
(312) 744-3072 / 5682
20
Willie Cochran
[email protected]
(773) 955-5610
(312) 744-6840 / 5688
21
Howard Brookins, Jr.
[email protected]
(773) 881-9300
(312) 744-4810 / 4811
22
Ricardo Munoz
[email protected]
(773) 762-1771
(312) 744-9491 / 9492
23
Michael R. Zalewski
[email protected]
(773) 582-4444
(312) 744-6828 / 5683
24
Michael Scott, Jr.
[email protected]
(773) 533-2400
312-744-6839 / 6849
25
Daniel Solis
[email protected]
(773) 523-4100
(312) 744-6845 / 6846
26
Roberto Maldonado
[email protected]
(773) 395-0143
(312) 744-6853 / 4198
27
Walter Burnett, Jr.
[email protected]
(312) 432-1995
(312) 744-6124 / 6125
28
Jason C. Ervin
[email protected]
(773) 533-0900
(312) 744-3066
29
Chris Taliaferro
[email protected]
(773) 237-6460
(312) 744-8805
30
Ariel Reboyras
[email protected]
(773) 794-3095
(312) 744-3304 / 3305
31
Milagros S. Santiago
[email protected]
(773) 278-0031
(312) 744-6102
32
Scott Waguespack
[email protected]
(773) 248-1330
(312) 744-6567 / 6574
33
Deborah Mell
[email protected]
(773) 478-8040
(312) 744-3373 / 3379
34
Carrie M. Austin
[email protected]
(773) 928-6961
(312)744-6820 / 6829
35
Carlos Ramirez-Rosa
[email protected]
(773) 887-3772
(312) 744-6835
36
Gilbert Villegas
[email protected]
(773) 745-4636
(312) 744-4324
37
Emma Mitts
[email protected]
(773) 379-0960
(312) 744-3180 / 1589
38
Nicholas Sposato
[email protected]
(773) 283-3838
(312) 744-6857
39
Margaret Laurino
[email protected]
(773) 736-5594
(312) 744-7242 / 7243
40
Patrick O'Connor
[email protected]
(773) 769-1140
(312) 744-6858 / 7248
41
Anthony V. Napolitano
[email protected]
(773) 631-2241
(312) 744-3942
42
Brendan Reilly
[email protected]
(312) 642-4242
(312) 744-3062 / 3065
43
Michele Smith
[email protected]
(773) 348-9500
(312) 744-5685 / 3071
44
Thomas Tunney
[email protected]
(773) 525-6034
(312) 744-3073 / 3133
45
John Arena
[email protected]
(773) 286-4545
(312) 744-6841 / 5684
46
James Cappleman
[email protected]
(773) 878-4646
(312) 744-6831 / 5694
47
Ameya Pawar
[email protected]
(773) 868-4747
(312) 744-0446 / 4021
48
Harry Osterman
[email protected]
(773) 784-5277
(312) 744-6834 / 6860
49
Joseph Moore
[email protected]
(773) 338-5796
(312) 744-3067 / 3080
50
Debra L. Silverstein
[email protected]
(773) 262-1050
(312) 744-6855 / 5680
Comma delimited email list:
[email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
As if it wasn’t bad enough that the Chicago City Council followed in the footsteps of New York City by prohibiting vaping in the same places where smoking is banned, now Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel is promoting a tax on vapor products and other tobacco products (OTP) not currently subject to city taxes or fees.
The Mayor has announced three town hall meetings that are open to the public. These are excellent opportunities for vapor and tobacco harm reduction advocates to voice opposition to extra taxes on vapor products and smokeless tobacco.
- All meetings start at 6:30 PM
- Monday, August 31st: Malcolm X College
- Wednesday, September 2nd: South Shore Cultural Center
- Thursday, September 3rd: Wright College
Please make plans to attend these meetings. Although these are not city council meetings, please observe city council chamber decorum.
For those that are unable to attend these meetings, we have provided contact information for city council members and talking points below. You can find your ward and Alder Member HERE. Please take a moment now to contact your city council member and tell them you are opposed to imposing any extra taxes or fees on vapor products and smokeless tobacco.
SUGGESTED TALKING POINTS
1). Ostensibly, taxes on traditional cigarettes are intended to discourage use. However, due to the fact that e-cigarettes and other smoke-free tobacco products are estimated to be 98 - 99% less harmful than smoking, discouraging use is counter to goals of reducing smoking rates.
2). Sin taxes are regressive. The smoking population, those switching to vaping, is disproportionately made up of poor and low income people. Sin taxes place unnecessary burdens on an already financially challenged group.
3). Imposing a tax on these products will drive consumers to shop in neighboring cities that do not have a similar tax. Concurrently, consumers will be encouraged to shop online for better deals, sending even more money out of the community. Local businesses will not be able to compete, be forced to close their doors, and jobs will be lost. This is bad for the City and will result in less revenue, not more.
4). It is important to note that vapor products are already subject to a general sales tax.
5). Taxing e-cigarettes in a manner similar to how cigarettes are taxed sends a confusing and inaccurate message to would-be adopters that these two very different products present similar risks. The result of this message is that more people, those that otherwise would have switched to a smoke-free product, will be encouraged to continue smoking.
Chicago
City Council
Ward
Alder
Ward Office Phone
City Hall Phone
1
Proco Joe Moreno
[email protected]
(773) 278-0101
(312) 744-3063 / 1367
2
Brian Hopkins
[email protected]
(312) 643-2299
(312) 744-6836
3
Pat Dowell
[email protected]
(773) 373-9273
(312) 744-8734 / 6712
4
William D. Burns
[email protected]
(773) 536-8103
(312) 744-2690 / 7738
5
Leslie A. Hairston
[email protected]
(773) 324-5555
(312) 744-6832 / 3195
6
Roderick T. Sawyer
[email protected]
(773) 635-0006
(312) 744-6868 / 0670
7
Gregory I. Mitchell
[email protected]
(773) 731-7777
(312) 744-6833
8
Michelle A. Harris
[email protected]
(773) 874-3300
(312) 744-3075 / 6825
9
Anthony Beale
[email protected]
(773) 785-1100
(312) 744-6838 / 3061
10
Susan Sadlowski Garza
[email protected]
(773) 768-8138
(312) 744-3078
11
Patrick D. Thompson
[email protected]
(773) 254-6677
(312) 744-6663
12
George A. Cardenas
[email protected]
(773) 523-8250
(312) 744-3068 / 4025
13
Marty Quinn
[email protected]
(773) 581-8000
(312) 744-3058 / 3076
14
Edward M. Burke
[email protected]
(773) 471-1414
(312) 744-3380 / 3381
15
Raymond A. Lopez
[email protected]
(773) 306-0837
(312) 744-4321
16
Toni Foulkes
[email protected]
(773) 863-0220
(312) 744-6850 / 6854
17
David H. Moore
[email protected]
(773) 783-3672
(312) 744-3435
18
Derrick G. Curtis
[email protected]
(773) 284-5057
(312) 744-6856
19
Matthew J. O'Shea
[email protected]
(773) 238-8766
(312) 744-3072 / 5682
20
Willie Cochran
[email protected]
(773) 955-5610
(312) 744-6840 / 5688
21
Howard Brookins, Jr.
[email protected]
(773) 881-9300
(312) 744-4810 / 4811
22
Ricardo Munoz
[email protected]
(773) 762-1771
(312) 744-9491 / 9492
23
Michael R. Zalewski
[email protected]
(773) 582-4444
(312) 744-6828 / 5683
24
Michael Scott, Jr.
[email protected]
(773) 533-2400
312-744-6839 / 6849
25
Daniel Solis
[email protected]
(773) 523-4100
(312) 744-6845 / 6846
26
Roberto Maldonado
[email protected]
(773) 395-0143
(312) 744-6853 / 4198
27
Walter Burnett, Jr.
[email protected]
(312) 432-1995
(312) 744-6124 / 6125
28
Jason C. Ervin
[email protected]
(773) 533-0900
(312) 744-3066
29
Chris Taliaferro
[email protected]
(773) 237-6460
(312) 744-8805
30
Ariel Reboyras
[email protected]
(773) 794-3095
(312) 744-3304 / 3305
31
Milagros S. Santiago
[email protected]
(773) 278-0031
(312) 744-6102
32
Scott Waguespack
[email protected]
(773) 248-1330
(312) 744-6567 / 6574
33
Deborah Mell
[email protected]
(773) 478-8040
(312) 744-3373 / 3379
34
Carrie M. Austin
[email protected]
(773) 928-6961
(312)744-6820 / 6829
35
Carlos Ramirez-Rosa
[email protected]
(773) 887-3772
(312) 744-6835
36
Gilbert Villegas
[email protected]
(773) 745-4636
(312) 744-4324
37
Emma Mitts
[email protected]
(773) 379-0960
(312) 744-3180 / 1589
38
Nicholas Sposato
[email protected]
(773) 283-3838
(312) 744-6857
39
Margaret Laurino
[email protected]
(773) 736-5594
(312) 744-7242 / 7243
40
Patrick O'Connor
[email protected]
(773) 769-1140
(312) 744-6858 / 7248
41
Anthony V. Napolitano
[email protected]
(773) 631-2241
(312) 744-3942
42
Brendan Reilly
[email protected]
(312) 642-4242
(312) 744-3062 / 3065
43
Michele Smith
[email protected]
(773) 348-9500
(312) 744-5685 / 3071
44
Thomas Tunney
[email protected]
(773) 525-6034
(312) 744-3073 / 3133
45
John Arena
[email protected]
(773) 286-4545
(312) 744-6841 / 5684
46
James Cappleman
[email protected]
(773) 878-4646
(312) 744-6831 / 5694
47
Ameya Pawar
[email protected]
(773) 868-4747
(312) 744-0446 / 4021
48
Harry Osterman
[email protected]
(773) 784-5277
(312) 744-6834 / 6860
49
Joseph Moore
[email protected]
(773) 338-5796
(312) 744-3067 / 3080
50
Debra L. Silverstein
[email protected]
(773) 262-1050
(312) 744-6855 / 5680
Comma delimited email list:
[email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]