Ephedra ban heads to governor

[MAY 19, 2003]  SPRINGFIELD -- Legislation to ban the sale of ephedra products in Illinois is one step away from becoming law thanks to the efforts of a Lincoln family. Sen. Larry Bomke, R-Springfield, gives credit for the pending new law to Kevin Riggins, who has fought to ban the products following his son's death last year.

"Kevin Riggins and the entire Riggins family should be proud of their efforts to pass this law," said Bomke, who is a sponsor of the proposal. "This is an intensely personal issue for the Riggins family, and because of their efforts to bring more attention to a dangerous product, many lives will be saved. That is quite an accomplishment."

Americans consume more than three billion servings of ephedra each year. The FDA has received over 18,000 reports of adverse reactions by ephedra users, including strokes, heart attacks, seizures and deaths.

Senate Bill 1418 would prohibit the sale of any ephedra product not approved by the secretary of health and human services as safe for its intended use or approved for over-the-counter sales by the FDA.

Gov. Rod Blagojevich has already indicated his intent to sign House Bill 1418 into law.

[News release]

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