Lake County First to Enact Tobacco 21

Board members approve a change to Lake County’s tobacco ordinance increasing the legal sales age to 21 for the purchase of all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, in unincorporated areas of the county. The vote receives broad support amongst the 21-member board at their September 12, 2017 meeting.

The change goes into effect January 1, 2018 and makes Lake County the first in Illinois to take this important step toward reducing teens’ access to tobacco products, a proven strategy for reducing current use and preventing youth from starting to use tobacco.