CHICAGO, March 11, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The Chicago Hispanic Health Coalition and Oak Street Health will hold a Press Conference at 10 am on March 14th at Oak Street Health Center – Brighton Park, 4327 S. Archer Ave., Chicago IL 60632.
On Wednesday, March 16, 2016 the City Council will vote on a tobacco ordinance which would raise the age required to buy tobacco to 21, and set further requirements aimed at preventing young people from having access to tobacco and nicotine.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel proposed this measure in January, and the amended ordinance was approved by the City Council’s Finance Committee in February. There has been much talk about the impact of this measure on small businesses, especially in already economically depressed areas of the city.
“Economic interests should not take precedence over the welfare of Chicago’s youth” said Esther E. Sciammarella MS, Executive Director of the Chicago Hispanic Health Coalition. “The studies have shown that simply raising the age to 21 decreases teenage smoking, which will impact the health of the next generation by lessening cardiovascular and lung disease.”
20.9% of Latinos in the U.S. reported using tobacco in 2013 (Vital Signs), with U.S. born Latinos having a greater incidence of smoking that those who are foreign-born (National Survey on Drug Use and Health).
Evanston has recently passed a similar ordinance, and Chicago would join over 100 cities, nationwide, who have raised the access age of tobacco to 21.
Contact: Edith Bosque Barnes, 312-842-2340, chhc@chicagohispanichealthcoalition.org
