SPRINGFIELD – Legislation sponsored by State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) that raises the age to legally purchase tobacco to 21 takes effect today.

“Throughout this entire process, our number one goal has been to reduce smoking rates in our teenage population,” said Morrison. “Raising the age has been proven to do just that. I am proud Illinois is a leader in protecting teenage health and reducing health care complications and premature death.”

The new law, which passed under House Bill 345, adds Illinois to a growing list of states that have already implemented Tobacco 21. Nine states – Arkansas, California, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Oregon, Hawaii, Maine, Utah and Virginia – have all raised the age to purchase tobacco to 21.

In Illinois, 34 jurisdictions have already raised the age, including Chicago, Highland Park, Buffalo Grove, Evanston and Peoria.

A key benefit to raising the age is documented decreases in the number of high schoolers who smoke. In Chicago, authorities recorded a drop from 13.6 percent in 2011 to 6 percent in 2017. Raising the age was cited as a key component of the decrease.

Morrison teamed with health advocates and local Lake County students last January to increase support among lawmakers for the proposal. The law was signed by Gov. JB Pritzker on April 8, 2019.

“Tobacco 21 will reduce access in our young populations, bring down overall smoking rates over time and save the state millions in health care costs,” Morrison said.