Illinois moves closer to raising smoking age to 21

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SPRINGFIELD — Raging debate over increasing the legal smoking age in Illinois from 18 to 21 years old likely will continue after two legislative committees advanced bills on Tuesday.

House Bill 4297 and Senate Bill 2332 were given immense scrutiny by public health groups and advocates for retailers as both bills were reviewed and debated by Illinois House and Senate health committees. Both bills made it through their respective committees and could be added to either chamber’s docket for further debate soon.

The measures would increase the purchasing age for tobacco products to 21 but decriminalize possession of them by those younger than 21. Sponsors argue underage tobacco use is a public health issue, not a crime.

Please click on the link for the full story from Maximilian Kwiatkowski of the Peoria Journal-Star.

http://www.pjstar.com/news/20180206/illinois-moves-closer-to-raising-smoking-age-to-21