Tobacco.org

• Teens and tobacco don't mix in Illinois  

Gov. Pat Quinn signed State Rep. Ronald Wait's underage smoking billion on Aug. 11, making it illegal for minors under the age of 18 to possess any cigar, cigarette, smokeless tobacco or other tobacco product.

"This law makes sense," Wait said. "For years it has been illegal for minors to purchase tobacco, yet they can possess it without any repercussions. Common sense tells us if we don't want our kids to use tobacco, then we should not let them have tobacco."

The new public act establishes a multi-tiered system which addresses the violation through a combination of service, education and fee requirements. The first offense is $25 or 15 hours of community service; second offense, $50 and 25 hours of community service; third offense, $100 fine and 30 hours of community service.

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