US: Chicago Mayor to Propose Raising Tobacco Purchase Age to 21

Source from:  Chicago Tribune 01/13/2016

Mayor Rahm Emanuel on Wednesday plans to propose raising the minimum age for buying tobacco products in Chicago to 21 from 18, his office said late Tuesday.

The state of Hawaii and cities including New York and Cleveland have made similar moves in recent years, with Cleveland passing its ordinance in December. Locally, Evanston passed an ordinance making 21 the minimum age for buying tobacco within the suburb in 2014.

Supporters of such measures point to research indicating the vast majority of smokers take up the habit before turning 21.

Earlier this week, Emanuel said he wants to hike taxes on cigars, smokeless tobacco and roll-your-own cigarettes, using the $6 million his administration says such an increase would raise to expand orientation programs for Chicago Public Schools students. Enditem