Lincolnshire Increases Age to Buy Tobacco to 21

BUFFALO GROVE, IL - From the desk of the Lincolnshire Police Department: On June 12, 2017 the Village of Lincolnshire Board of Trustees voted unanimously to update their tobacco ordinance—increasing the sales age for all tobacco and nicotine products from 18

years of age to 21. Lincolnshire is among several other towns who have instituted higher sales age requirements including: Chicago, Deerfield, Evanston, Highland Park, Naperville, and Oak Park.

The ordinance change was initiated by the Lake County Health Department in early May, and included information from the Tobacco 21 Coalition. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), “Tobacco use is started and established primarily during adolescence. Nearly 9 out of 10 cigarette smokers first tried smoking by age 18.” Increasing the purchasing age to 21 is seen as one of several strategies shown to reduce and prevent youth tobacco use.

The Village of Lincolnshire joins the nationwide effort to help curb nicotine additions and tobacco usage, and views the change to the tobacco ordinance as one more step toward prevention.

The police department simultaneously began an educational campaign with all tobacco vendors in the Village, and will work with them to ensure compliance.

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