In an effort to strengthen state laws that limit youth access to tobacco products, Illinois Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich has signed legislation to require cigarette packs be kept out-of-reach behind sales counters and to prohibit minors under the age of 16 from selling any tobacco products.
“Despite the documented health risks associated with tobacco use, we know many of our youth will try smoking and that casual experimentation can quickly develop into a regular habit,” Gov. Blagojevich said. “It is our duty as parents to educate our children about the risks of smoking and our duty as adults to make sure it is not easy for them to obtain this highly addictive product. Studies have found that more than 80 percent of all adult smokers became regular smokers before they could legally purchase cigarettes.”
Before the Governor signed House Bill 4302, there were no restrictions on how single cigarette packs could be displayed or on the age of those selling tobacco products. HB 4302 is sponsored by Rep. Karen Yarbrough (D-Maywood) and Sen. James Meeks (I-Chicago).
"Cigarettes must be kept as unavailable as possible," said Senator Meeks. "By keeping them physically out-of-reach and by not allowing our youth to come into contact by even selling such items, hopefully we can reduce the experimentation that too often leads to a full-time addiction."