Chicago targets kids in new anti-smoking campaign

Chicago health officials say a new public awareness campaign is aimed at stopping the sale of cigarettes to children.

The Chicago Department of Public Health says the campaign will include ads on trains and buses encouraging residents to call 311 if they see tobacco being sold to a minor.

Officials say 80 percent of adult smokers took up the habit before they turned 18 and that one in four adults and one in eight high school students in Chicago smoke regularly.

Smoking and exposure to smoke can cause heart and lung problems, including cancer.

Rosemary Krimbel is commissioner of the city’s Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection. She says the campaign should send a message to retailers that selling tobacco to minors is illegal and could hurt kids’ health.