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Tobacco 21 Press StatementRonald Johnson, MD, FAAFP – Pittsfield 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. 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. 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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