Illinois passed House Bill 345 today, making it illegal for anyone to sell or provide tobacco cigarettes or other tobacco products to people under the age of 21.

The so-called “Tobacco 21” bill is one of several new laws that take effect today, the start of the new state fiscal year.

Businesses who do not comply with the bill could potentially have their business licenses revoked, forcing them to close their stores. The Bill’s language specifically says:

“The Department may, after notice and hearing as provided for by this Act, revoke, cancel or suspend the license of any distributor, secondary distributor, or retailer for the violation of any provision of this Act, or for noncompliance with any provision herein contained.”

In April of 2019 after the bill was approved by the General Assembly, Governor JB Pritzker signed House Bill 345 into law with a July 1 effective date. The purchasing age will also apply to e-cigarettes, as those are becoming popular with today’s youth. Dozens of municipalities across the state had already banned the sale of tobacco to people younger than 21. This Bill represents a shift towards uniformity in statewide policy regarding tobacco products and minors.