On Tuesday (March 27, 2018), the Aurora City Council voted to raise the age limit to purchase tobacco and vaping products from age 18 to 21 by a unanimous vote of 12 aldermen.

Aurora is the first city in Kane County to adopt what is nationally being referred to as the Tobacco 21 ordinance (T21).

With the passing of the ordinance, Aurora joins other municipalities in Illinois, including Evanston, Chicago, Naperville and Bolingbrook, in taking a stand for the health of our youth by becoming a T21 City.

Nearly 300 cities in 19 states have done the same.

Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin thanked Aurora aldermen, community health partners and youth who shared their concerns about tobacco and vaping usage among their peers.

“Your voice does matter, and we are listening,” he said.

The Kane County Health Department and the Kane County Legislative Committee have taken a stance to support Tobacco 21 legislation, as well.

Learn more about the national T21 Initiative at www.tobacco21.org

SOURCE: city of Aurora news release

Tabacco 21 Timeline in Illinois

SOURCE: Kane County Health Department website

• 3/27/18 Aurora
• 2/20/2018 – Riverwoods passes Illinois’ 15th Tobacco 21 ordinance (effective February 20, 2018)
• 11/27/2017 – Mundelein passes Illinois’ 14th Tobacco 21 ordinance (effective March 1, 2018)
• 11/14/2017 – Elk Grove passes Illinois’ 13th Tobacco 21 ordinance (effective January 1, 2018)
• 9/12/2017 – Lake County (unincorporated) passes Illinois’ 12th Tobacco 21 ordinance (effective January 1, 2018)
• 8/21/2017 – Buffalo Grove passes Illinois’ 11th Tobacco 21 ordinance
• 8/19/2017 – Berwyn passes Illinois’ 10th Tobacco 21 ordinance
• 8/1/2017 – Vernon Hills passes Illinois’ 9th Tobacco 21 ordinance
• 6/13/2017 – Lincolnshire passes Illinois’ 8th Tobacco 21 ordinance
• 5/3/2017 – The City of Maywood passes Illinois’ 7th Tobacco 21 ordinance
• 2/9/2017 – Representative Melissa Conyears-Ervin introduces House Bill 3208, the bill would raise the age of sales for all tobacco products to 21; referred to House Rules Committee
• 12/12/2016 – Deerfield passes Illinois’ 6th Tobacco 21 ordinance
• 12/6/2016 – Naperville passes Illinois’ 5th Tobacco 21 ordinance
• 10/12/2016 – Highland Park passes Illinois’ 4th Tobacco 21 ordinance
• 8/1/2016 – Oak Park passes Illinois’ 3rd Tobacco 21 ordinance
• 5/29/2016 – Senate Bill 3011 assigned to Health and Human Services Committee
  
• 5/18/2016 – Senate Bill 3011 passes Senate by 32-22 vote, on to the Assembly!
  
• 4/5/2016 – Senate Bill 3011 passes Public Health Committee
  
• 3/16/2016 – Senate Bill 3011 referred to public health committee
  
• 3/16/2016 – Chicago passes state’s second Tobacco 21 ordinance
  
• 2/18/2016 – Senate Bill 3011 introduced, which would raise Illinois’s tobacco sales age to 21
  
• 1/12/2016 – Mayor Rahm Emanuel introduces Tobacco 21 to Chicago
  
• 10/27/2014 – Evanston raises tobacco age to 21, becomes first city in state to adopt Tobacco 21