Rahm Awarded for Efforts to Curb Youth Smoking

Mayor Rahm Emanuel may have lost a battle with the Chicago City Council over a ban on electronic cigarettes, but his fight for curb youth smoking isn’t going unnoticed.

The African American Tobacco Control Leadership Council is awarding Emanuel with the Visionary Elected Leader award to honor his efforts in reducing the use of tobacco products among Chicago youths.

Emanuel’s efforts to ban e-cigarettes in venues where smoking is prohibited ran into opposition in the Chicago City Council Monday.

The Finance and Health committee instead agreed to ban sales of menthol and flavored tobacco within 500 feet of Chicago schools, the newspaper reported.

Despite this, the national organization recognized the mayor’s work to curb teen smoking Tuesday with the award, noting his efforts in both bans.

Smokers also face a 50-cents-a-pack increase in Chicago’s cigarette tax, which was introduced as part of Emanuel’s 2014 budget.
 

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