SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – May 30, 2018 – Today, the Illinois House of Representatives voted in favor of a bill to raise the minimum age of tobacco sales to 21 years old. It now moves to Gov. Bruce Rauner’s desk for consideration. Shana Crews, Illinois government relations director for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, released the following statement in response:
“Today’s vote builds on our state’s longstanding progress in tobacco prevention. Thanks to our lawmakers’ hard work and our advocates’ persistence, Illinois could now become the sixth ‘tobacco 21’ state in the country.
“We know the tobacco industry uniquely targets young people to replace consumers dying from their products, and too many of our children are becoming addicted before they even have a chance to grow up. But if kids don’t pick up a tobacco addiction during their vulnerable adolescent and teenage years, they’ll be less likely to do it when they’re 21. This legislation has the potential to reduce smoking rates in our state and ensure our kids live longer, healthier lives.
“We again would like to thank our legislative champions, State Senator Julie Morrison and State Representative Camille Lilly, for their tenacity and dedication to this lifesaving bill. On behalf of all cancer patients, survivors and their families, we urge Governor Rauner to sign this into law.”
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.