From State Senator Don DeWitte:
The Age to Smoke Tobacco Soon to Be 21
Another busy week in Springfield as bills continue to be heard in committee prior to heading to the Senate Floor for a full vote.
One bill that was voted on by the full Senate this week was the controversial issue of raising the age to purchase tobacco, electronic cigarettes or alternative nicotine products to 21.
House Bill 345 would eliminate penalties for underage possession, but retailers still would be fined for selling restricted products to underage customers.
A number of communities in Illinois have adopted Tobacco 21 rules, but this legislation would make it a statewide standard.
While the intent of the legislation may be a sincere effort to help people avoid the illnesses associated with smoking, I voted no soley because I believe that government should not impede on our ability to make our own choices.
As bad as smoking is to a person’s health, we have to protect our freedoms and allow adults to make their own decisions.
HB 345 passed the Senate on March 14 on a vote of 39-16-1.
The nanny state runs amuck.
summum ius, summa iniuria
The more laws, the less justice.
Obviously smoking is unhealthy, but this type of legislation is ridiculous.
Time for McSweeney to openly admit he is NOT a Republican.
Franks has him totally under his thumb.
It would appear McSweeney thinks he can out-Franks Franks.
Quit cigaettes 25 years ago.
They are indeed terrible for ones health.
The good Senator is right however.
The nanny State and it’s snowflake supportors can all go to hell.
We have 18 year olds defending the U S in our military yet 18 cant buy cigs or beer they get to choose military so let them choose other things at 18
Those who can’t find an older person to buy them their cigarettes will simply go out of state.
There is no location in Illinois that’s all that far from a state line.
The cigarette tax in Missouri is $0.17 per pack, and some enterprising youngsters will make a lot of money bootlegging cigarettes.
I think ‘Spanky’ Pritzker and his pals are going to be quite surprised at the amount of tobacco tax revenue that will be lost to other states.
Spanky?
Never mind, I don’t want to know.
Probably orchestrated by big tobacco just like the anti smoking ads.
More free advertising for the “forbidden fruit” to enlist young people as the older ones die off.
Those who are 18 and smoke cigs don’t read the MchenryCountyBlog…..
@Joe Kviders
Spanky was the doltish fat kid on “The Little Rascals.”
He reminds me a lot of JB.
Hmmmmmmm
21 to smoke but the Dem want 16 to vote?
Guess it fits in with their social control game plan.