Chicago has been on the forefront of the nationwide Tobacco 21 movement, raising the age in 2016 for purchasing tobacco within city limits from 18 to 21. Thanks to this measure, combined with other significant steps Chicago has taken to make tobacco less accessible, affordable and attractive, teen smoking in the city has reached a record low of six percent, dropping by more than half over the last six years. Through this legislation, we can make sure all retailers in the state play by the same rules, and help our young people live longer, healthier lives.

I encourage Governor Pritzker to sign the Tobacco 21 legislation and help bring us closer to a tobacco-free generation.