(Photo By Flickr User Sudipto Sarkar)
The Illinois House has approved a measure to raise the age to purchase tobacco products statewide to 21.
According to WEEK-TV, last week, the House voted 82-31 in favor of raising the minimum purchasing age for cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and nicotine products.
“That’s an encouraging, bipartisan vote that puts us one step closer to finally enacting this important public health protection,” said Illinois Senate President John J. Cullerton, a proponent of the legislation.
Health advocates argue raising the minimum purchasing age to 21 will prevent more young would-be smokers from getting hooked on tobacco products.
A Tobacco 21 bill was approved last year, but vetoed by former Gov. Bruce Rauner. Rauner said that because neighboring states haven’t adopted similar laws, local businesses and state would lose revenue while failing to stem smoking’s harm to public health.
The bill now moves to the Illinois Senate, where it is expected to pass.
Peoria, Normal, and Washington have already adopted their own Tobacco 21 ordinances.
