A bill that would have increased the purchasing age for tobacco products to 21 fails.
Lawmakers in the state house voted against SB 2332 Monday. It’s casually known as “Tobacco 21”.
Similar laws to Tobacco 21 cover more than 4.5 million people living in 26 communities across the state. Some of the largest cities have passed the law, including Peoria.
Five other states have raised the minimum purchasing age of tobacco products to 21 including California, Hawaii, Maine, New Jersey, and Oregon.
Because the measure received more than 47 votes, the sponsor of the bill has postponed consideration. That means the legislation can be reconsidered and could be up for another vote as soon as Wednesday.