Palatine Updates Policies On Tobacco Products

Press release from the Village of Palatine:

July 2, 2020

Last year, the Illinois General Assembly adopted new legislation making it illegal for anyone to sell tobacco products to individuals under the age of 21. Further, the legislation also prohibits anyone under the age of 21 from buying tobacco products. This included alternative nicotine products (more commonly known as the e-cigs). As a result of the legislative changes, updates to the Village’s Code of Ordinances were necessary to reflect the State’s changes related to selling, buying, and defining the alternative tobacco products.

During the review process, the Village identified a loophole within the State’s new statutes. While it is unlawful to sell to anyone under 21, and it is unlawful to purchase if you are under 21, there is no provision in the State statutes related to the possession of tobacco, or other alternative tobacco products, for those under the age of 21.

To address this issue, the Village recently adopted Code amendments (effective August 1, 2020) that prohibit the possession of tobacco and other alternative nicotine products by individuals under the age of 21. Violations will be addressed through a local ordinance citation.

This press release was produced by the Village of Palatine. The views expressed here are the author’s own.