12076: Check The Stamps Smokescreen.

Why is the Chicago Department of Public Health encouraging citizens to Check The Stamps and fight illegal cigarette sales? This campaign feels like the work of Big Tobacco—and it probably is. The homepage declares:

WE ALL PAY THE PRICE.

The transport, distribution and sale of untaxed cigarettes hurts local families and steals public funds from local businesses and communities.

The illegal sale of cigarettes in the city comes in the forms of improperly stamped packs sold at retail stores, individual cigarettes sold at stores and on the streets and the sale of cigarettes to minors under 18.

Illegal sales hurt our communities by making cigarettes more accessible and easily affordable which adds to the devastation from disease and death in families. This is especially hard on our youth. Most life-long smokers start before the age of 18 and most eventually die from tobacco-related diseases. Cheap, readily available and illegally sold cigarettes make it easier for our children to start and harder to quit.

Yes, let’s do it for the children. You can even collect a $100 reward for your efforts.