Ever since Hawaii became the first state to raise the tobacco purchase age to 21; numerous states have looked to follow suit. Thankfully all have failed, but Illinois State Senate John Mulroe, D-Chicago hasn’t let that stop him. The senator introduced SB3011 which puts the state in the running to become the second state. If the measure passes it would carry with it fines starting at $50 and 25 hours of community service for those who sell […]
A few weeks ago we reported that the Mayor of Chicago; Rahm Emanuel (D) wanted to impose an increased tobacco tax on cigars and other tobacco products. In addition to the tax the Mayor wanted to change the age in which a person could legally smoke from 18 to 21. In a report from the Chicago Sun Times both measures which should have been routine saw the City Council Finance Committee attack the plan. They argued […]
Earlier this week we reported that the city of Chicago was looking to add a tax to cigars. Today, Mayor Rahm Emanuel took further aim at the tobacco industry at the first City Council meeting of the year. The Democrat Mayor made numerous proposals with the Public Health Commissioner Julie Morita. In addition to the additional taxes, a proposal to raise the tobacco purchase age to 21 was made along with with a minimum pricing policy. No timetable […]
The sale of tobacco in Illinois is illegal unless you have a license from the state. The new law requires all retailers selling any tobacco product to obtain a license from the state. The cost of which is $75.00. According to the state of Illinois, most of the fees collected will be used go after the sale of contraband tobacco. It also gives the state a way to punish those who sell to underage smokers.
The right for tax payers to light and enjoy tobacco is now a thing of the past in Glen Ellyn, Illinois thanks to a push by those who do not yet pay taxes. The Glen Ellyn Park District Board of Commissioners voted to pass a ban outlawing the use of tobacco at the Park District properties. The move was suggested on August 4 by students of the local high schools. The movement created Reality Illinois which […]
The City Council of Woodstock, Illinois will vote on an ordinance today that would ban cigars, cigarettes, pipes and e-cigarettes from Woodstock’s Park in the Square. The ordinance would also ban smoking on adjacent sidewalks and streets on the square. According to the Northwest Herald, “the specific areas where smoking or burning any tobacco-containing device or using any electronic smoking device would be banned would include the Park in the Square or adjacent sidewalks or […]
A few weeks ago we reported that Beer Gardens had escaped a smoking ban in the state of Illinois. However, a group of lawmakers have tweaked a definition in the Smoke-Free Illinois Act. The Peoria Journal star reports that a committee tweaked the definition to ban smoking in any public place with a floor or ceiling whether or not the walls are retractable or permeable. The measure came after the Health department said the existing definition made […]
This fall the ability to light up at outdoor patios, decks and rooftops at local beer yards, bars, and restaurants would have ended under regulations from the Illinois Department of Heath. However, the Department of Health has changed its mind on the proposed rule changes as the final regulation that went into effect on August 14, 2015. According to a published report at Smile Politely, “The new regulations, effective as of August 14th, 2015, now define […]
A bill that would of banned smoking in cars if a person under the age of 18 was present has failed in the state senate of Illinois. The bill which had passed a committee hearing only got eight votes in favor of it, with Republican Senator Dave Syverson of Rockford providing a voice of reason in questioning the measure. According to the Senator, “These children are going to be in the same home with these parents […]
An Illinois Senate Public Health Committee approved a bill on Tuesday that would make it illegal to smoke inside a vehicle if a person under the age of 18 is present. Bill SB0728 introduced by Democrat Senator Ira Silverstein changes the Illinois Vehicle Code to allow police offices to stop drivers as well as detain them if they are suspected of smoking with passengers under the age of 18. Violators would be subject to a […]