SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – Legislation is moving forward in the Illinois Legislature that would raise the age to buy tobacco products to 21.
The (Springfield) State Journal-Register reports the measure passed the Illinois House on Tuesday on an 82-31 vote. It now goes to the state Senate. The bill includes tobacco products, electronic cigarettes, and alternative nicotine products. More than 30 Illinois communities have already enacted Tobacco 21 ordinances, including Arlington Heights, Lake Zurich, and Park Ridge.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s spokeswoman, Jordan Abudayyeh, has said the Democrat “looks forward to reviewing the legislation.”
Democratic state Rep. Camille Lilly of Chicago said she is sponsoring the legislation because 95 percent of people who smoke started before the age of 21. The bill earned some opposition because it eliminates penalties for underage possession of cigarettes.
