There will be no new “Tobacco 21” law this year. House lawmakers failed to override the Governor’s veto of a bill raising the legal age to buy tobacco products from 18 to 21. State Representative Camille Lilly sponsored the measure, saying it’s about protecting young people’s health.
In his veto message, Governor Rauner argued that a Tobacco 21 law would just cause people to buy their tobacco products from neighboring states. Cities already have the power to raise the age in their own communities.