A new Illinois law taking effect this week limits tobacco purchases to residents 21 or older.
Governor J.B. Pritzker signed the initiative in April. The law covers cigarettes, e-cigarettes, vapes, and chewing tobacco.
“I’m so proud that Illinois became the first state in the Midwest to raise the purchase age for tobacco to 21,” Pritzker said in a press release. “This law will reduce costs for our state, make our schools and communities healthier places to learn and live, and most importantly, will save lives."
State health officials say close to 5,000 teens in Illinois become new daily smokers each year. In addition, 95% of adult smokers begin smoking before turning 21.
"Raising the purchasing age will not only help reduce the number of people who smoke, but will also reduce medical costs in Illinois and make our communities healthier,” Illinois Department of Public Health Director Ngozi Ezike said in the release.
The new law also requires stores to update age verification training programs and their posted signage with the new minimum sales age.
Illinois is the seventh state in the country to raise the tobacco purchasing age to 21.
