[Illinois] Illinois House efforts to pass legislation to raise the purchasing age electronic cigarette (and tobacco) products from 18 years of age to 21 have stalled.
Representative Sara Feigenholtz, (12th District), currently sponsors Senate Bill 3011 and stated Friday that the original House sponsor, Representative Bob Rita, (28th District), used parliamentary maneuvers to delay the bill’s progress. She added,

I understand that it is a very complicated bill that will have a tremendous effect, but I’ve spoken about it for 30 years and I don’t think the issue will go away..

Representative Bob Rita went on to state he’s concerned for retailers along the Illinois border that could lose business if the age is raised.

My big concern is that it could potentially have an impact on multiple businesses in my district, which is near the Indiana border. The idea was to work with the business community to move forward with a plan that doesn’t impact bordering businesses.This has been an issue similar to gambling in that it would have a big potential impact for the state, and my hope is to work out a compromise because I’m sure the issue will be around.

Illinois Business groups opposed to the bill include the Illinois Retail Merchants Association, the Illinois Petroleum Marketers Association, and the Illinois Association of Convenience Stores. Kathy Drea, spokeswoman for the American Lung Association of the Upper Midwest and a proponent of raising the cigarette-purchasing age. She hopes to continue working on the bill through the summer if necessary.

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