Illinois State Senator Helps Pass Bill to Lower Teen Tobacco Use

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Illinois State Senator Michael Hastings has helped to pass the so-called “Tobacco 21” Bill which, according to patch.com, will prohibit the purchase or possession of alternative nicotine products, electronic cigarettes and tobacco products by individuals under the age of 21.

"More than 90 percent of smokers pick up smoking before the age of 21," Hastings said. "This new law will help us curb teen tobacco use and help save lives."

Raising the tobacco purchasing age from 18 to 21 has become the nation’s newest strategy to prevent the trend of teen tobacco use. According to patch.com, limiting access to cigarettes has proven to be effective in reducing the rate of tobacco use among teens. Evanston became the first Illinois community to adopt Tobacco 21 in October of 2014. Tobacco use among high schoolers since then has dropped by 37.5 percent in that community.

"This initiative is a major step forward in improving the health of residents and improving our quality of life in our state," said Hastings. " ‘Tobacco 21’ will double down on our efforts to reduce the number of teen smokers, moving us one step closer to a healthier, smoke-free Illinois."

According to news.wttw.com, the House has already passed the “Tobacco 21” Bill. Lawmakers have 30 days to send it to Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who has another 60 days to sign or veto it. According to the Chicago Sun-times, if Pritzker signs the Bill, Illinois would be the eighth state in the nation, and the first state in the Midwest, to have such a law on the books. Illinois would be joining California, New Jersey, Hawaii, Maine and Oregon as states that have implemented a statewide “Tobacco 21” laws.