Rolling Meadows increases tobacco purchase age to 21

Rolling Meadows joined a growing list of Northwest suburbs this week in hiking the tobacco purchase age to 21.

Aldermen voted unanimously Tuesday to approve the change, which would apply to tobacco, electronic cigarettes and alternative nicotine products.

In a first reading tally Jan. 22, aldermen were split 4-3, but they since received a letter of support from the Respiratory Health Association and heard comments at this week's meeting from Dr. Arvind Goyal, chair of the Rolling Meadows Tobacco Information and Prevention Program.

Some 35 towns in Illinois, as well as unincorporated Cook and Lake counties, have increased the purchase age.