On July 30, Mayor Daley announced Chicago’s participation in a state-sponsored program to reduce the sale of tobacco to kids. The program, developed by the Illinois Liquor Control Commission and the Illinois “Kids Can’t Buy ‘Em Here” Coalition, is aimed at preventing illegal sales of tobacco products to youth under 18 years of age.
Chicago and DuPage County are two of six statewide demonstration sites for this program. A survey by the Illinois Liquor Control Commission indicates that only 47 percent of underage youth are denied the purchase of tobacco products. The Illinois Retail Merchants Association is an active participant in this state initiative to increase retail awareness to deter illegal underage tobacco sales. Major retailers, including Walgreen’s and Jewel-Osco, are taking leadership roles.
This is a meaningful initiative sponsored by the state and key Illinois cities and counties (the other Illinois demonstration areas are Quincy, Danville, and DuPage, McLean and Saline Counties).
This program may not receive much publicity, but it is a sound and much-needed approach and serves the interest of Illinois children very well.
