Chicago's ban on selling tobacco products to consumers under 21 takes effect July 1. | File photo
Chicago's ban on selling tobacco products to consumers under 21 takes effect July 1. | File photo
“Youth smoking is now at a record low in Chicago, thanks to a concerted effort and series of reforms to shield our children from the harmful effects of tobacco products,” Emanuel said. “With these latest reforms and the newly required purchase age of 21, we will discourage tobacco use among youth, and also reduce black market activity, so that our youth can grow up healthy.”
To spread awareness in the business community, BACP has sponsored outreach awareness events, hosted workshops and posted information on its website.
“By raising the age of purchase to 21, we will keep more youth from lighting their first cigarette and help ensure they live a life free from addiction to a deadly habit,” Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Julie Morita said. “This is good news for today’s youth and good news for our city’s future.”
By way of enforcement, the city has established its own Tobacco Unit, a team comprised of BACP and Chicago Police Department personnel, to investigate illegal sales — an initiative partially funded by tobacco sales taxes, putting that revenue to its best possible use.
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