HOUSE LAWMAKERS ARE VOTING TO RAISE THE AGE TO BUY CIGARETTES IN ILLINOIS.

UNDER THE LEGISLATION, YOU’LL HAVE TO BE 21, INSTEAD OF 18 TO PURCHASE TOBACCO PRODUCTS IN ILLINOIS. SUPPORTERS SAYS THIS WILL HELP REDUCE THE NUMBER OF TEENS WHO PICK UP THE HABIT EARLY ON. HOUSE MINORITY LEADER JIM DURKIN PREVIOUSLY OPPOSED THE BILL BUT SAYS AFTER MORE RESEARCH AND HEARING HOW PREVALENT SMOKING IS IN HIGH SCHOOL, CHANGED HIS MIND.

REPRESENTATIVE MONICA BRISTOW OF ALTON IS A FORMER SMOKER AND SUPPORTS THE MEASURE.

MORE THAN 30 COMMUNITIES INCLUDING THE CITY OF CHICAGO ALREADY HAVE A “TOBACCO 21” LAW ON THE BOOKS. THE BILL NOW HEADS TO A SENATE FOR A VOTE.