The Illinois Senate Executive Committee passed and sent to the full Senate a bill that would prohibit the sale of cigarettes with flavors like candy, fruit and soda, but would not apply to menthol. State Rep. Jacqueline Collins (D-Chicago) said the proposed measure would give Illinois an “opportunity to better protect children,” as young people find flavored cigarettes appealing. Collins cited a 2005 survey conducted by the American Lung Association that found that 20.2% of young people aged between 18-19 years had tried smoking flavored cigarettes, compared with 8.6% of people aged between 20-26 years.

R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company's John O’Connell said the proposed legislation is akin to “Big Brother” and could hurt businesses in the State, especially those located in the border areas, reports Pantagraph.