“I applaud the FDA for following Chicago’s lead and taking these dangerous, addictive products out of the hands of young people. I called on the FDA to take this action in 2013, and today I’m hopeful this step will lead to reduced tobacco use among youth around the nation just as we have seen happen here in Chicago.”

Background

Since taking office, Mayor Emanuel has worked closely with the City Council and the Chicago Department of Public Health to pass a series of reforms aimed at curbing youth tobacco use in Chicago, including raising the purchasing age to 21, banning the sale of menthol products near schools, instituting local regulation of electronic cigarettes and taxing other tobacco products. In 2013, the Mayor called on the FDA to regulate electronic cigarettes and other tobacco products in the same manner as traditional cigarettes, understanding the dangers they pose to young people. Today, following these efforts and others, Chicago's youth smoking rates are at an all-time low.

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