Chicago City Council Raises Tobacco-Buying Age to 21

[demetrakopoulos]

http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Chicago-City-Council-Approves-Raising-Tobacco-Buying-Age-21-365080421.html
Well, if I know this city, it's very likely an opening to try and slap ridiculous fines on businesses who sell tobacco to minors. Yes, it's not illegal for people 18 and up to possess tobacco.
Of course, 18-20 year olds can still go into the suburbs or Indiana to buy their tobacco, but still, what a pointless piece of legislation. We have gang members violently "holding down their hood" in nearly every neighborhood, but as long as they're not smoking while they're doing it, I guess it's okay.

 

[mikestanley]

I am seeing a trend here. Sounds like 18-20 year olds are going to have a tougher time buying tobacco.

Mike S.

 

[jackswilling]

Chicago has the government it deserves. Enjoy

 

[iamn8]

The most liberal of cities exist to tax and rule. People can't be trusted to make their own choices. Tis a horrible way to view the world.

 

[deathmetal]

This trend seems pernicious. They're going to turn people into special snowflakes who don't trust themselves.

 

[jakegoodman]

They want to control everything just because they can. It is pointless, but then again it is socialism.

 

[phil67]

I've lived in Chicago all of my life (69 years) and this city is well known for having a preponderance of moronic ass wipes on the city council. They're favorite pastime is implementing ridiculous taxes on various goods. The latest tax they wanted to pass through was a tax on feminine hygiene products - 'Tampon Tax'. Don't ever plan on living in Chicago unless you make a six figure income as the taxes alone will kill you. The last time I looked the average price for a pack of cigarettes was over $12.00 and they still want to raise the tax again.

 

[mso489]

This would be a study for some grad student in sociology or political science. What did lawmakers say they were improving with this law? What were they actually after with it? Is the rationale health? A revenue stream in fines? Improvement in the moral rectitude of young people? Nothing so impels young people to do something like a statute against it, so tobacco sales among the 15 to 20 year olds has just increased sharply. Yes, the Chicago City Council is somewhat infamous beyond belief for peculiar behavior from the usual corruption to simply weird beyond belief, or both simultaneously. People who try to tag it with liberal or conservative labels (and a lot of it is overtly conservative as well as liberal despite party affiliations) miss the point. When you are in Chicagoland, you aren't in Kansas anymore.