Des Plaines, Ill. Joins Chicago-area Tobacco 21 Movement

Another Chicago-area is close to joining the region’s growing Tobacco 21 movement, as on Monday the Des Plaines City Council approved the first reading of an ordinance that will make 21 the minimum age to purchase tobacco and tobacco alternative products.

The ordinance, which was approved unanimously, also seeks to make it illegal for a person under 21 years old to possess or use tobacco products or things like electronic cigarettes and vapes. Changing the possession piece of the law is one that several cities—including Chicago—have opted not to enact, reasoning that there is no reason to start an adult’s criminal record with a tobacco violation.

On Monday, the city of Arlington Heights also approved the first reading of a similar ordinance, though it does not change any laws regarding possession. The two cities join Hoffman Estates and Barrington in passing increases in recent weeks.

Des Plaines is home to just over 58,000 residents. It is located approximately 20 miles northwest of downtown Chicago.

Patrick Lagreid

I strive to capture the essence of a cigar and the people behind them in my work – every cigar you light up is the culmination of the work of countless people and often represents generations of struggle and stories. For me, it’s about so much more than the cigar – it’s about the story behind it, the experience of enjoying the work of artisans and the way that a good cigar can bring people together. In addition to my work with halfwheel, I’m the public address announcer for the Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks during spring training, as well as for the Salt River Rafters of the Arizona Fall League, the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury, the G-League's Valley Suns, and previously the Arizona Rattlers of the Indoor Football League. I also work in a number of roles for Major League Baseball, plus I'm a voice over artist. Prior to joining halfwheel, I covered the Phoenix and national cigar scene for Examiner.com, and was an editor for Cigar Snob magazine.