Bill To Raise Smoking Age Passes Illinois Senate
Illinois could become the sixth state in the nation to join the 21 club.
The state senate passed a bill last week that would raise the minimum purchase age for tobacco products, including premium cigars, from 18 to 21 years old. Should the bill become law, Illinois would follow in the footsteps of Chicago, its most populous city, which has enforced a 21+ purchase age for nearly 2 years.
Currently, Oregon, Maine, New Jersey, Hawaii and California are the only states that have a minimum purchase age of 21 years old.
This same bill, however, would also eliminate a statute that penalizes minors under the age of 18 who are caught in possession of tobacco products. (Current Illinois law considers this a petty offence, punishable by community service or a small fine.)
The new bill states, “It is not a violation of this Act for a person under 21 years of age to purchase or possess a tobacco product...if the person under the age of 21 purchases or is given the [product] from a retail seller of tobacco products.”
Essentially, the amended law will still penalize the sellers of tobacco products, but eases the burden on persons under the age of 21 who are caught in possession of tobacco products.
The legislation was introduced at the end of January and was passed in the Senate by a vote of 35-20 on April 25. It is currently under review in the House Rules Committee.
