Today, I was presented with an award by Ian Piet on behalf of Respiratory Health Association for co-sponsoring the Tobacco 21 bill. With the bill’s signing into law on July 1st, Illinois became the first state in the Midwest to raise the purchase age of tobacco products to 21. Reducing access to tobacco products will have a positive impact on future smoking rates.

It is an honor to stand with young men like Ian and the Respiratory Health Association, and work together to protect the health of all of the young people in Illinois.