The Village of Maywood recently approved an ordinance to raise the minimum age of tobacco sales to 21 years old. Nico Probst, Chicago government relations director for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, released the following statement in response:
“We’re thrilled to see Maywood join a growing number of communities across the country fighting back against tobacco. Too many young people become addicted to tobacco before they even have a chance to grow up, but now, Maywood is taking critical action to ensure their kids won’t join these numbers.
“Communities without ‘tobacco 21’ laws often find that young people get cigarettes and other products through their older friends. High school is unfortunately a prime time for students to begin a tobacco addiction, and peer pressure plays a significant role. But if kids don’t pick up a cigarette during these vulnerable teenage years, they’ll be less likely to do so when they’re 21.
“Big Tobacco will no longer have a foothold in Maywood. We applaud village officials for their hard work to ensure kids live longer, healthier lives, and we look forward to seeing this community continue to flourish.”
About ACS CAN
ACS CAN, the nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society, supports evidence-based policy and legislative solutions designed to eliminate cancer as a major health problem. ACS CAN works to encourage elected officials and candidates to make cancer a top national priority. ACS CAN gives ordinary people extraordinary power to fight cancer with the training and tools they need to make their voices heard. For more information, visit www.fightcancer.org.