Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel has been trying to get the minimum age to purchase tobacco products increased for nearly a month, as well as a tax increase on several tobacco products—including premium cigars—to fund a program to transition eighth graders to high school. On Monday, those efforts hit a roadblock when Alderman raised their objections and some argued the law might be illegal. Things didn’t go much better for Emanuel earlier today, when a vote on his amended proposal was tabled until at least next month. After the council’s Finance Committee seemed to bring an end to the tax increase on Monday, they relented on Wednesday morning and granted preliminary approval to the mayor’s proposal, which now has amendments that double the fines for retailers selling to persons under age, and that a portion of the money raised from the new tax must also go to smoking cessation programs and enforcement of tobacco sales rules, as well as the high school program. However, that wasn’t enough to get the council to support it, as Alderman Edward Burke, the committee chairman, opted not to bring the matter up for a vote, citing the negative economic impact it would have on retailers as well as spurring ...
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