Statement in Support of Tobacco 21
February 5, 2019
Asim Jaffer, MD, FAAFP - IAFP Board Chair
I am proud to be back here representing the Illinois Academy of Family Physicians on this very important issue. I am Dr. Asim Jaffer, Chair of the Board for IAFP and a family physician in Peoria. My board colleague Dr. Careyana Brenham stood here last year, and we are back again to get this law passed! Family physicians across Illinois strongly support House Bill 345 and Senate Bill 21. Six states have already passed tobacco 21, so unfortunately we won’t be the first, but we should not wait to be among the last.
Family physicians care for teenagers and young adults. In my hometown of Peoria, our family medicine residency clinic is a primary source of care for teens and particularly at-risk youth. They are still developing physically and emotionally, and more importantly, their brains are still developing as well. If we can guide them through the teens and into their twenties without a nicotine addiction, the data shows it’s more likely they will never become tobacco users.
I’m also a father of two young children. I absolutely want to ensure that they grow up to be tobacco-free adults. These are among the reasons we worked so hard to pass Tobacco 21 in Peoria last year. Taking away the temptation of tobacco can make the difference when young people are faced with these choices. We have an obligation to protect our teens - to provide guidance, and where needed, laws.
You’ve seen the numbers. E-cigarettes - and especially Juuls - are all around in our schools and neighborhoods. Kids are getting hooked fast on the flavors and buzz delivered in these tiny, discreet packages.
Illinois has made progress in cutting youth smoking rates, but we are failing with the vaping phenomenon. By taking this next step, we can help today’s kids transition to tobacco-free adults. They’ll suffer fewer illnesses, reduce their risk of deadly diseases and enjoy a healthier future. Physicians, nurses, counselors and other providers are ready to help all our young patients quit tobacco for good! It’s time to take this proven policy statewide. Family physicians support tobacco 21 and ask all our legislators to vote yes.
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Press Contact: Ginnie Flynn [email protected]
Government Affairs Contact: Gordana Krkic [email protected]
The Illinois Academy of Family Physicians represents nearly 5,000 family physicians, family medicine residents and medical students in Illinois.
IAFP Statement in Support of Tobacco 21 for Illinois
Careyana Brenham, MD, FAAFP
IAFP Board of Directors
January 30, 2018
Family physicians across Illinois strongly support House Bill 4297 and Senate Bill 2332. Raising the purchase age to 21 will reduce tobacco use and addiction, especially among young people. This is the time to act and the policy that will work.
As a family physician, I care for many teenagers and young adults. They are still developing physically and emotionally. Their brains are still developing, too. It’s a crucial period where choices are made and habits are formed. If we can guide them through these late teens and into their 20s without a nicotine addiction, it’s more likely they will never become tobacco users.
I’m also a mom to four daughters. I absolutely want to ensure that they grow up to be tobacco-free adults. Taking away the temptation of tobacco with a Tobacco 21 policy can make the difference when young adults are faced with choices, without parental guidance. We have an obligation to protect our teens - to provide guidance and- where needed, laws. Look online, we have teens eating laundry detergent pods on YouTube!
A 2015 Institute of Medicine report estimates that Tobacco 21 laws would reduce smoking among 15 to 17-year-olds by 25 percent and among 18 to 20-year-olds by 15 percent. We can literally change the future for so many of today’s teens.
Illinois college campuses are already smoke free. Let’s send our students to college without a tobacco or nicotine habit.
Illinois has made progress in cutting youth smoking rates. By taking this next step, we can help today’s kids transition to tobacco-free adults. They’ll suffer fewer illnesses, reduce their risk of deadly diseases and enjoy a healthier future. Physicians, nurses, counselors and other providers are ready to help all our young patients quit tobacco for good! Family physicians support tobacco 21 and ask all our legislators to vote yes.
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Media Contact: Ginnie Flynn [email protected] 630-427-8004
Government Affairs Contact: Gordana Krkic, CAE [email protected] 708-278-6921
The Illinois Academy of Family Physicians represents over 4,800 family physicians, family medicine residents and medical students in Illinois.
Statement in Support of HB 3208 – Tobacco 21
Asim Jaffer, MD, FAFP of Peoria
March 29, 2017
Family physicians across Illinois strongly support House Bill 3208 and Senate Resolution 318. Raising the purchase age to 21 will reduce tobacco use and addiction, especially among young people.
As a family physician, I care for many teenagers and young adults. They are still developing physically, and emotionally, and their brains are still developing as well. It’s a crucial period where choices are made and habits are formed. If we can guide them through these late teens and into their 20s without a nicotine addiction, it’s more likely they will never become tobacco users.
I’m also a father of two children, ages 8 and 5. I absolutely want to ensure that they grow up to be tobacco-free adults. Taking away the temptation of tobacco by removing the ability to purchase it can make the difference when these young adults are faced with choices, without parental guidance.
A 2015 Institute of Medicine report predicts that raising the minimum age for the sale of tobacco products to 21 will, over time, reduce the smoking rate by about 12 percent and smoking-related deaths by 10 percent.
The study further estimates that Tobacco 21 laws would reduce smoking among 15-17 year olds by 25 percent and among 18-20 year olds by 15 percent. That’s a lot of kids we can impact at no cost to the state!
While we celebrate 10 years of smoke-free Illinois and clean indoor air, let’s think about today’s 10-year-old children. I want them to grow up without the cloud of smoke that we grew up with.
Illinois college campuses are already smoke free. Let’s send our students to college without the easy access to tobacco products that only cause them harm and can’t be used on campus.
Illinois has made progress in cutting youth smoking rates. By taking this next step, we can help today’s kids transition to tobacco-free adults. They’ll suffer fewer illnesses, reduce their risk of deadly diseases and enjoy a healthier future. Physicians, nurses, counselors and all providers are ready to help all our young patients quit tobacco for good! Family physicians support tobacco 21 and ask all our legislators to vote yes.
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Press Contact: Ginnie Flynn [email protected]
Government Affairs Contact: Gordana Krkic [email protected]
The Illinois Academy of Family Physicians represents over 4,900 family physicians, family medicine residents and medical students in Illinois. www.iafp.com.
Tobacco 21 Press Statement
Ronald Johnson, MD, FAAFP – Pittsfield
Past President
February 18, 2016
Family physicians across Illinois applaud SB 3011 and thank Sen. John Mulroe for sponsoring this important piece of legislation. Raising the purchase age to 21 will reduce tobacco use and addiction, especially among young people.
As a family physician, I care for many teenagers and young adults. They are still developing physically, and emotionally, and their brains are still developing as well. It’s a crucial period where choices are made and habits are formed. If we can guide them through these late teens and into their 20s without a nicotine addiction, it’s more likely they will never become tobacco users.
Illinois college campuses are already smoke free – so let’s send our students to college without the ability to purchase tobacco products that only cause them harm and can’t be used on campus.
Kansas City, Cleveland, Boston, New York City and the entire state of Hawaii have already passed tobacco 21 laws. Others are considering legislation. Meanwhile the US Army, Navy and Marine Corps are on record supporting Tobacco 21, as they want their personnel to stay healthy. We are supporting our troops by passing this bill. There is nothing patriotic about tobacco use or selling these products to 18-20 year olds.
A 2015 Institute of Medicine report predicts that raising the minimum age for the sale of tobacco products to 21 will, over time, reduce the smoking rate by about 12 percent and smoking-related deaths by 10 percent.
The study further estimates that Tobacco 21 would reduce smoking among 15-17 year olds by 25 percent and among 18-20 year olds by 15 percent. That’s a lot of kids we can save at no cost to the state!
Illinois has made tremendous progress in cutting youth smoking rates. By taking this next step, we can help today’s kids make the transition to tobacco-free adults. As a result, they’ll suffer fewer illnesses, reduce their risk of deadly diseases and enjoy a healthier future. We are ready to help all our young patients quit tobacco for good! Family physicians support tobacco 21 and ask all our legislators to vote yes.
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