Set cigarette sales restriction statewide

I was surprised and thankful to hear that 3 million Illinoisans live in communities that have raised the minimum age of tobacco sales to 21 years old. But I have to wonder - why hasn't the entire state followed their lead?

We all know that tobacco products lead to a lifetime of deadly addiction and that the tobacco industry uniquely targets young people to buy their products.

But if we can keep kids from picking up tobacco before they turn 21, they will be less likely to begin an addiction later in life. In fact, the National Institute of Medicine estimates that raising the minimum age of tobacco sales to 21 years old would reduce smoking initiation by as much as 25 percent.

With Illinois' above-average high school smoking rate, just think about how many lives we could save. So many young people are beginning tobacco addictions before they even have a chance to grow up.

It's time for our entire state to prioritize youth health and raise the minimum age of tobacco sales. I'm asking that our lawmakers please support efforts currently under way to raise the minimum age to 21 years old. Our schools, families and communities need to know you're on their side.

Maggie Powell, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network

Waukegan