CHICAGO, Illinois (AP) --Gov. Rod Blagojevich signed the nation's first
statewide ban on ephedra Sunday, flanked by the parents of a 16-year-old
football player who died of a heart attack after using the diet supplement.
"It's a good first step but it's not enough," Blagojevich said. He and other
lawmakers urged other states and the federal government to adopt similar bans.
Ephedra, blamed for nearly 120 deaths, drew national attention after
officials investigating the February heat stroke death of Baltimore Orioles
pitching prospect Steve Bechler linked it to a diet pill containing ephedrine,
ephedra's active ingredient.
The herbal supplement is sometimes marketed as an athletic performance
enhancer.
The drive for a ban in Illinois began last September with the death of
16-year-old Sean Riggins of Lincoln, whose father said he was taking the
supplement to help make the first-string football team.
"We have to make sure that (young athletes) can no longer go to the store and
buy ephedra as easily as they can chewing gum," Blagojevich said Sunday. The ban
took effect immediately.
Earlier this month, nutritional supplement retailer General Nutrition Centers
said it would stop selling products containing ephedra. Florida Gov. Jeb Bush
signed a law last week banning the sale of all diet supplements to children
under 18.
The American Heart Association has urged a ban on ephedra sales, and the NFL,
NCAA and International Olympic Committee have banned its use by athletes.
Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher stood with Blagojevich on Sunday to
support the ban.
Riggins' parents, Debbie and Kevin Riggins, are working with Sen. Dick
Durbin, D-Illinois, in seeking a nationwide ban from the Food and Drug
Administration.
"With the signing of this bill today, we are the benchmark," Kevin Riggins
said.
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