Smoking age limit raised to 21 in Evanston

EVANSTON (WLS) -- Smokers now need to be at least 21 years old to buy cigarettes in Evanston after an ordinance in the northern Chicago suburb took effect this weekend.

Evanston is the first community in Illinois to raise the age from 18.

Officials say they know it will not abolish teen smoking, but the new ordinance forces young people to leave the community to get their cigarettes.

Nationally, about 40 municipalities have raised the age to buy tobacco to 21. Studies show about 10 percent of Chicago teens smoke, the lowest number ever.