Mussman Calls on Governor to Sign Measure to Increase Minimum Age to Buy Tobacco Products

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – To help keep cigarettes and other tobacco products out of the hands of young adults, state Rep. Michelle Mussman, D-Schaumburg, supported legislation to increase the age to buy tobacco products to 21.

“Smoking and the use of other tobacco products is a public health issue, and it needs to be treated as such.  The tobacco industry preys upon teenagers and young adults, making smoking seem attractive, causing young people to form dangerous habits early in life,” said Mussman.  “Research shows that teenagers’ brains are not done developing, making them more susceptible to misleading marketing tactics by tobacco companies and the dangerous addictive properties of nicotine.”

Mussman supported Senate Bill 2332, a measure that would raise the minimum wage to buy tobacco products, electronic cigarettes and other alternative nicotine products.  The legislation passed out of the Illinois House and Senate with bipartisan support.  Mussman is calling on the Governor to sign this measure into law when it reaches his desk.

“Through this legislation, we have a real chance to make a difference.  Raising the age to buy tobacco products is the right thing to do, and I urge the Governor to sign this into law,” continued Mussman.  “Keeping tobacco out of the hands of teenagers will reduced the number of inevitable deaths caused by smoking, and it is the right thing to do for the future of our young people.”

For more information, please contact Rep. Mussman’s full-time constituent service office by calling 847-923-9104 or by emailing StateRepMussman@gmail.com.