Deerfield Tobacco 21 Law Takes Effect

DEERFIELD, IL – After the Deerfield Board of Trustees approved an ordinance last December to raise the minimum age to buy, sell and possess cigarettes to 21 years of age, the ordinance went into effect in January. The ordinance covers all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and vaporizers.

"Statistics have shown that the earlier one begins to smoke, the quicker and stronger the addiction,” stated Mayor Harriet Rosenthal. “We will do whatever we can to help our kids make healthy choices.”

The Lake County Health Department said Deerfield is taking a "profound step" to help lower rates of substance abuse among young people.

"Delaying onset of smoking prevents long term smokers," said Mark Pfister, Executive Director for the Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center. “Ninety-five percent of adult smokers began before the age of 21."

The new ordinance makes Deerfield the second Lake County locality and the sixth in Illinois to pass a law raising the legal age to buy tobacco products to 21. Others include: Evanston, Chicago, Oak Park, Naperville, and Highland Park.