“Today, the State of Illinois confronted the public health challenge of tobacco and e-cigarette addiction by raising the purchasing age to 21. Our children must never be counted as part of tobacco companies’ bottom lines. They are our future, not their addicted consumers. When Big Tobacco evolved its attempts to lure youth into harmful addiction, Chicago confronted the challenge by raising the purchasing age to 21, banning tobacco discounts and instituting marketing regulations. As a result, smoking in the city has reached a record low of six percent, a 50 percent decrease over the last six years. I want to thank Senator Julie Morrison and Representative Camille Lilly for sponsoring this proven legislation, and Governor Pritzker for acting to break the cycle of addiction before it starts. Illinois’ leaders from every corner of the state are saying with one voice the wellness of our children is not for sale.”

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