Illinois Tobacco 21 law (410 ILCS 82) prohibits sale of tobacco, vape, and alternative nicotine products to anyone under 21. Cook County Department of Public Health enforces in unincorporated areas and contracted suburbs; municipal police enforce elsewhere.
Illinois raised the minimum tobacco sales age to 21 in 2019 under the Prevention of Tobacco Use by Persons Under 21 Years of Age Act, 410 ILCS 82. Retailers must check ID for any buyer who appears under 30. Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) conducts compliance checks in suburban Cook municipalities that contract with it for environmental health services and in unincorporated Cook. Possession by minors is not penalized under state law (purchase only). Cook County aligns its tobacco-tax license rules with the T21 age requirement.
Retailer fines under 410 ILCS 82: $200 first offense, $400 second within two years, $600 third; license suspension after three violations within 24 months.
See how Evanston's tobacco age restrictions rules stack up against other locations.
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