Peoria leaders have voted to raise the age to buy tobacco in the city to 21.
Peoria City Council members voted Tuesday night to increase the tobacco purchasing age from 18. The measure takes effect in 10 days. The Peoria Journal Star reports penalties for minors who possess tobacco will be eliminated because youths are considered victims of aggressive marketing campaigns. The vote came as citizens urged the council to raise the age to deter smoking at an early age.
The vote was 8-3. Councilman Zach Oyler commended those who urged passage of the ordinance but said he was opposed because he thinks the issue needs to be addressed at the state level.
Peoria is the latest Illinois municipality to require those buying tobacco to be 21. Others include Chicago, Evanston, Mundelein and Naperville.
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