SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – March 14, 2019 – Today, the Illinois State Senate sent a bill to Gov. J.B. Pritzker that raises the minimum age of tobacco sales to 21 years old. In response, Shana Crews, Illinois government relations director for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, issued the following statement:
“Once again, the General Assembly has solidified its commitment to youth health. Illinois is taking another step toward undoing the damage the tobacco industry has inflicted on our young people.
“With Governor Pritzker’s approval, Illinois stands to become the eighth state to pass a Tobacco 21 law and the first state in the Midwest. More than three million Illinoisans already live in communities that have raised the minimum tobacco sale age to 21, and soon, every part of the state will benefit from this public health victory.
“We’d like to thank our lawmakers for their hard work, especially our sponsors, Representative Camille Lilly and Senator Julie Morrison. We ask Governor Pritzker to sign Tobacco 21 into law and keep more kids from ever picking up a cigarette.”
About ACS CAN
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is making cancer a top priority for public officials and candidates at the federal, state and local levels. ACS CAN empowers advocates across the country to make their voices heard and influence evidence-based public policy change as well as legislative and regulatory solutions that will reduce the cancer burden. As the American Cancer Society’s nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate, ACS CAN is critical to the fight for a world without cancer. For more information, visit www.fightcancer.org.