Taxes on cigarettes sold in Cook County are going up by $1 a pack.
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle says the tax, which takes effect Friday, is expected to generate more than $25 million annually for the Cook County Health and Hospitals System.
She says higher taxes also will help lower smoking rates, including by discouraging people from starting.
Cook County's Department of Public Health will begin an anti-smoking campaign later this month aimed at youth. It will include television advertising and placards on buses and at bus shelters.
Anti-smoking activists say Chicago is now the second-most expensive place in the nation to buy cigarettes, behind New York City.
Preckwinkle says the county Revenue Department will hire more staff to help stop tobacco smuggling and tax evasion.
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Thursday, May 16 2013 9:49 PM EDT2013-05-17 01:49:53 GMT
Mayor Emanuel will celebrate two years in office by unveiling "Elevate Chicago" on Thursday, a series of construction projects to improve Navy Pier and McCormick Place.
Mayor Emanuel will celebrate two years in office by unveiling "Elevate Chicago" on Thursday, a series of construction projects to improve Navy Pier and McCormick Place.
Monday, February 25 2013 1:41 PM EST2013-02-25 18:41:37 GMT
Just as Oscar host Seth MacFarlane set his sights on a variety of targets with a mixture of hits and misses, the motion picture academy spread the gold around to a varied slate of films.
Just as Oscar host Seth MacFarlane set his sights on a variety of targets with a mixture of hits and misses, the motion picture academy spread the gold around to a varied slate of films.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 4:54 PM EDT2013-05-21 20:54:15 GMT
A Jacksonville man has pleaded guilty to fatally stabbing a Chicago fan at a popular waterfront shopping area before a Bears/Jaguars football game last fall.
A Jacksonville man has pleaded guilty to fatally stabbing a Chicago fan at a popular waterfront shopping area before a Bears/Jaguars football game last fall.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 2:53 PM EDT2013-05-21 18:53:12 GMT
Police are asking for help to identify the body of woman or teen girl found strangled and badly burned in a Northwest Side Avondale neighborhood Dumpster Sunday night.
Police are asking for help to identify the body of woman or teen girl found strangled and badly burned in a Northwest Side Avondale neighborhood Dumpster Sunday night.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 2:28 PM EDT2013-05-21 18:28:22 GMT
Rescue crews aren't the only ones heading to help tornado victims in Oklahoma. Addison's Lutheran Church Charities sent ten comfort dogs to Moore on Tuesday, to help console victims.
Rescue crews aren't the only ones heading to help tornado victims in Oklahoma. Addison's Lutheran Church Charities sent ten comfort dogs to Moore on Tuesday, to help console victims.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 1:51 PM EDT2013-05-21 17:51:14 GMT
Emergency crews searched the broken remnants of Moore, Okla. for survivors of a tornado that flattened homes and demolished an elementary school. At least 24 people were killed, including at least nine children.
Emergency crews searched the broken remnants of Moore, Okla. for survivors of a tornado that flattened homes and demolished an elementary school. At least 24 people were killed, including at least nine children.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 1:12 PM EDT2013-05-21 17:12:24 GMT
Every time a tornado makes news, the local public cannot help but think about what happened in this area, back in 1967. A destructive storm system hit the southwest suburbs 46 years ago.
Every time a tornado makes news, the local public cannot help but think about what happened in this area, back in 1967. A destructive storm system hit the southwest suburbs 46 years ago.
