St. Charles Changes Rules for Possessing Tobacco in Town

ST. CHARLES, IL — With the hopes of preventing any confusion and keeping tobacco out of the hands of minors, St. Charles has approved a measure that will make it illegal for anyone under 21 to possess tobacco. The measure is meant to coincide with a state law, which takes effect on July 1, and makes it illegal for anyone under 21 to buy tobacco products, vaping materials and electronic smoking devices from 18 to 21, the Daily Herald reports. Previously, the legal age to buy was 18.

Penalties for possessing tobacco for those under 21 was not covered by the new law, according to the Daily Herald.

“If you need to be 21 to buy it, you should be 21 to possess it," Police Chief James Keegan said. "Keeping possession (consistent) with sales ... puts us in a better position from the city to have a united front."

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