Illinois will not be raising the minimum age to purchase tobacco to 21-years-old, as the state senate defeated SB3011 by a 23-25 vote on Thursday, with three state senators voting “present.” The bill, introduced by State Sen. John G. Mulroe, put Illinois in the running to become the third state to raise the minimum age to purchase tobacco products and electronic cigarettes to 21, following in the footsteps of Hawaii and California. Mulroe originally sought to not only make purchasing tobacco products by someone under 21 a crime, but also possession. His original bill proposed fines starting at $50 and 25 hours of community service should someone under the age of 21 be found with a tobacco product or e-cigarette, fines that would escalate to $200 and 50 hours of community service for a third violation in a 12 month period. That portion of the bill was removed via an amendment passed in early April. Results of today’s vote were first reported by the Associated Press.
↧